Mr Trevor Xie and Ms Cynthia Tan, Co-founders of Student Advisory Centre
Together with my wife Cynthia, we were the co-founders of Student Advisory Centre, which was the predecessor of Children’s Wishing Well. Cynthia and I both came from low-income families. My father worked as a clerk of works at a construction site, while Cynthia’s father was a sole income earner as a wet market assistant sharing a one-room flat with two siblings.
From a young age, we both experienced hunger. We were looked down by others as we couldn’t afford many things. There were meals where I had to eat plain rice with soya sauce, or weep during Christmas and Chinese New Year because of financial difficulties. I felt very helpless when I was young. With the help of friends and kind people, I was guided to do better in my studies and managed to go to University. Liking sports, I was blessed to have a pre-loved bicycle. My Uncle paid for my swimming lessons.
With the bike and swimming lessons, I broke the national record for the ironman triathlon at the age of 18, coming in 2nd for my age group and the youngest ever in Singapore. The help of these kind souls helped me to see the impact of what a helping hand can do for others. On my 21st birthday… I thought it was time to pass on the kindness I had received to help others. Cynthia and I agreed to register the charity and committed to devote our time to serve the community.
So on 26 Feb 2002, Student Advisory Centre was born.