Kimberly Kwan
FamChamps Mentor 2019 - 2023

Growing up, I never had a father figure, and did not even know what he looked like. I was conditioned to believe he was a "bad dad" and was discouraged from acknowledging him. 

I first met him at the age of 8, but even then, I was told to keep my distance. The concept of a father was foreign to me, and any semblance of a relationship was driven by material incentives, like the promise of an ice cream if I called him, "Papa".

The biggest breakthrough in my family happened in 2022 on the eve of Chinese New Year, when I gained the courage to “re-acknowledge” my dad after almost 17 years.

Reflecting on this journey, I wouldn’t have recognised the importance of being a catalyst for positive change within my family, if not for the support and insights gained from FamChamps.

Volunteering with FamChamps has inspired me to strengthen my family ties and to strive for reconciliation and unity in my own family. It has been a transformative experience, and I'm grateful for the community support and guidance that facilitated this journey.

I'm Kimberly and I first learnt about FamChamps in 2019 through my employer, who was an advocate for healthy family relationships. That year, I started volunteering at FamChamps Camp Experience as a mentor for a group of lower secondary students. 

Through my journey with FamChamps, one of the most profound realisations was understanding the significance of my role within my family, despite being the youngest at home. 

I learnt that age is just a number, and no one is too young to be a family champion. I discovered various ways to contribute as a family member, from simple acts like sharing meals together to leaving simple, loving messages for each other. 

The highlight of the camp was undoubtedly Honour Night, where I witnessed students expressing gratitude and appreciation to their parents. 

I was deeply moved and discovered that I yearned and desired to honour my parents too – even my father who had left the family when I was just one month old.