From my earliest memories, I had a tumultuous relationship with my mother.Her words, like barbed arrows, pierced through me: 

"You should be struck by lightning."
"I'd rather have a pig than you." 

In my home, I learnt to steel myself against her verbal and physical abuse, and I grappled with the uncertainty of my own worth. Stepping into the world, I carried the weight of my mother's words on my shoulders, questioning whether I was truly deserving of love and acceptance.  

My outlook on life took a turn in 2014 during the FamChamps camp. Since I didn’t have many friends in school and struggled deeply at home, I decided to share my family story with my camp mentor, Brenda. She sat down, listened to my story, and gave me a hug – expressing empathy and understanding in an action that was almost foreign to me. It was in one such moment of selfless love that I experienced a profound shift within myself.

Though I couldn't change the circumstances of my upbringing, I realised that I held the power to rewrite my own narrative. I began to count my blessings, finding solace in the love that surrounded me beyond the confines of my turbulent home. 

With this newfound perspective came a sense of purpose – that I want to be the change as well because the empathy shown to me was so great. I reminded myself that I can be intentional to know more about my family’s lives and be the joy that brings everyone together. Just as I have received care from others, I can offer support and be availablefor those who may need it too. 

I hope that families in my generation will continue to build stronger relationships and show love, appreciation, and concern to one another. Sometimes, we take for granted that the people closest to us are the ones wholove us the most.

Joey Chok
FamChamps 2014,
active FamChamps alumni