I am a teacher and I want to set up community schools

Shadi Mohammed Start Date: Sep 29, 2023 - End Date: Jan 28, 2024
  • Cambodia
  • Indonesia

My Travel Story

by: Shadi Mohammed Start Date: Sep 29, 2023 - End Date: Jan 28, 2024
Thank you for reading my post.

I was a primary school teacher in Singapore who really has the passion to teach Math and Science. After many years having a stable job, I wanted to pursue a dream of helping needy children in third world countries by opening up community learning schools and help them with their education. However, I could never achieve anything near this as the cost of living in Singapore is extremely high. I can hardly save enough to start setting up this dream. It was going to be a dream only. 

Then I decided to step out of my comfort zone and open up a tuition centre in Singapore for a start. This was to provide affordable tuition for students who cannot afford the high end tuition centres but need the help. This can also help generate the necessary income for my family and also to grow my savings to pursue my dream. I had to quit my stable job as a civil servant here as we cannot set up businesses if still employed under the government. 

I was optimistic at first that I can sustain my current living expenses. Unfortunately, many of my students' parents did not pay my cheap fees and I also did not ask for fees from some who I know cannot afford it at all. This took a toll my family expenses. I still had rent to pay for my tuition centre and my bills which I used to pay with my teacher salary then. I used up all my savings to pay my bills, and still have many outstanding ones.

I asked myself if it was really worth it quitting my job to pursue my dreams of helping others. If I had continued with my job, I will die without even helping anyone. I can only afford my monthly donations to various organisations when I knew I had more to offer.
  • Cambodia
  • Indonesia