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Growing up in poverty, Dr. Y from Balestier Hill Primary School was a less than spectacular student who could only qualify for a ‘last choice secondary school’ (his words), Whitley Secondary School, before failing to qualify for Junior College as well. At age 24 however, he graduated from university with a degree in Dentistry and by age 28, was able to set up his own dental clinic in Singapore. We asked the now 60-year-old how he found a way past his childhood limitations and acquired a bunch of tips for those growing up in challenging circumstances.

“Build character first. With character build perseverance. Set realistic targets and set it higher slowly. Enjoy the journey.”

Q: Hi! Welcome to LUCK-IT! Thanks for coming on to share your story with us. To start, tell us a little about yourself when you were a kid? You call yourself a ‘late developer’, so how ‘undeveloped’ were you when you were young? How lousy were you academically and what were all the things you failed at?

A: I was in the top class of my primary school but was weak in both the languages and average in mathematics. But I was very good in science.

When did you start achieving more success in life? How old were you when that happened and what was the turning point or turning points that led you to success?

I failed mathematics at my mid-year exams in secondary 2 and in that exam, my good friend in class scored 95 marks. I learned, from him, that he already read the examples in the textbook before the teacher taught the topic and did all the simple exercises in the textbook, and after the lesson, did all the difficult optional exercises.

What were all the things you figured out how to do that led to you achieving success that you didn’t know how to do when you were younger?

To do well is not just to do your homework. It’s to do your homework, study and memorise your homework and then expand your knowledge by reading widely and doing more than is required by the school.

Do you think there might be some circumstances people get born into that might naturally put them at a disadvantage when competing within the education or employment systems in Singapore? For example, not speaking English at home which makes it slightly more difficult for the kid to grasp schoolwork earlier on in life, maybe? What have you noticed around you and through your own struggles?

The home environment may not be conducive for the child to be challenged to do better. Parents may demand good results but may not be lovingly beside the child to encourage him or her in their weak subjects. Some parents farm their educational responsibilities to others and are also too ‘busy’ to impart life skills and help the child cope with failures and disappointments. Others are struggling to make ends meet and are not able to provide any form of guidance. Some parents are not aware of various organisations that can provide free help for their children.

What do you think those born into circumstances that make it more difficult to succeed within the system can do to overcome their situational disadvantages?

Increase their exposure to community-based activities. This will include various camps and group participation in projects and sports, moral education in religious settings, uniformed groups in school, playing a musical instrument, social activities with their age group peers outside of school friends.

To date, what are all the things you’re proud of having achieved?

To have been able to overcome educational disadvantages in spite of a financially-challenged childhood. And to have been able to obtain a fully government-funded university education. Also to have been able to pay back and pay forward to our society here and overseas.

Are the people who knew you when you were younger surprised by how you turned out? What did they think would become of you back then and what do they think of you now?

Some are surprised I am able to become a professional, since I had come from a less common educational pathway. I cannot answer for what they think about me, but coming from a humble background, I am still a kampung boy at heart.

What was your routine when you were turning your life around, in the months leading up to your first success? How did it differ from your routine before, when you were still getting average results?

Previously, it was play hard. I was a school band drum major and a qualified marching drill instructor. After that, it was both play hard and work hard.

What is your routine like now?

Still working more hours than others. Mostly in my daily work, in helping and ministering to others, and working overseas.

How do you presently spend your weekends?

In church, with friends, and family. Sunday dinner is an important family get together. I go to prison once a month on Sundays to minister to prisoners in the prison Chapel service.

What advice do you have for kids and adults who are struggling with having had only unspectacular results and achievements thus far?

Build character first. With character build perseverance. Set realistic targets and set it higher slowly. Enjoy the journey. Get like-minded friends to walk the journey. Have a group of very good friends that are always dependable in good times and bad.

Can you map out a recommended plan of action for people wanting to break out of their mediocrity to follow?

Nothing can be achieved without hard work. Set milestones in targets and labour to accomplish it. Learn from failures, re-energise and get ready to fight another day. In success, be humble and help those in need of help.

What key things/people/situations enabled you to achieve success later in life, in your opinion? Who/What really helped?

After secondary 2, I made a bargain with God—that I knew existed, but didn’t know which—that if I work hard and He will take care of me, I will serve him in whatever and wherever he calls me to. Even when my application to Junior College was rejected and I ended up attending a pre-university center, I knew that he would be my hope and I never lost hope.

How did breaking through your own childhood limitations to become a successful adult change you as a person? Or did it not change you? What did you learn from doing so that you didn’t know before?

As mentioned earlier, I am still a kampung boy at heart. People and Family are more important than monetary and material pursuits.

If you could go back and replay your entire life all over again, what would you do differently?

I would have loved to be more active socially. The poor background made me an introvert as we did not have TV or a telephone and I was embarrassed to let friends know we were living in challenging circumstances. But I am glad to have had classmates from all walks of life. I learned respect for all, regardless of social standing, and empathy.

What was your personality like when you were a child? What about when you were a teenager and young adult? How did your personality change at every decade? Or did it not change?

My personality has transformed from a very shy boy to one who can stand in front of a crowd and give talks. Now, I am enjoying the fruits of my hard work over the years and am happy to see our children doing well.

Which major event in your life has made you who you are, in your opinion? Why do you think so?

The day that I transacted with God. He has never failed me, even in times of failures—when I had to give up my non-performing clinic and through my previous partnership failure. And serving God has given me so many friends all over the world.

Which 3 objects/people in your life can you presently not live without and why?

Family, church friends, mission friends.

Of all the objects you bought in the past year, which has been most useful? Why?

My utility car. It’s a people and goods mover and COE is at an all-time low.

Which place in Singapore is your favourite? Why?

Toa Payoh Lorong 8 hawker center. A dinner and supper place with great food at a reasonable price.

Which person do you wish LUCK-IT would interview for you to learn from? Why?

People who have given up their careers to serve the world’s most vulnerable children.

Lastly, what’s the worst advice you’ve been given, or have heard people giving? And what’s the best?

Any advice given when people are in the middle of a very difficult time in their life [is the worst]. The best advice: Look upwards, there is a Creator who cares for you and for me.

Dr. Y is presently still a dentist, busy with overseas missions, mentoring, prison ministry and skills training for denture technicians. You will be able to chat with him if you join him for overseas missions via his Medical/dental missions Facebook page or if you drop him a note using the comment box below.

The above interview is sponsored by:

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Dr. Y. Interviewer: Sy
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