To 13-year-old Anisha Chu, becoming a pilot once felt as distant as the planes soaring above. Now, it’s not just a dream but an actual goal she is working towards.

The sporty but introverted Secondary 1 student from West Spring Secondary School has never even been on a plane, yet she is now learning to fly one.

This was made possible when Sabrina Ng, a mentor from CDAC’s GEM (Go the Extra Mile) Mentoring Programme, signed Anisha up for the Singapore Youth Flying Club’s free flying training course to expose her to different activities.

Anisha is part of the pioneering batch of CDAC’s GEM Mentoring Programme, launched in early 2023. Formerly known as the Integrated Education & Development (IED) Programme, GEM provides long-term support to help young beneficiaries navigate the transition from primary to secondary school, fostering their abilities and interests while giving them the confidence to broaden their social circles.

Chow Lian Jie, Anisha’s first mentor at the start of the programme, shared his experience: “Each school has a team of four mentors, and we would discuss how to cater activities to each student’s needs since every child is different.” He added that mentors could observe clear improvements in the students’ confidence as they were more expressive and willing to try new activities with the mentors’ assurance after a few months.

In September 2023, Sabrina took over from Lian Jie as a mentor to Anisha and three other primary school students, guiding them through the uncertainties of entering secondary school. Through sincere communication, Sabrina built genuine friendships with her mentees, uncovering their interests and needs and securing opportunities for them to expand their horizons.

While Sabrina had learnt from Lian Jie that Anisha used to be reserved and shied away from new things, she can vouch that the girl she knows these days is much different.

“Anisha has blossomed into a more outgoing person who initiates conversations and embraces new experiences. For instance, she was initially hesitant about this interview but quickly decided to give it a shot,” says Sabrina, proud of her mentee’s personal growth.

Anisha, on the other hand, credits Sabrina and the GEM Mentoring Programme for her transformation. She expresses gratitude for finding a supportive and warm big sister figure she can confide in. She is particularly grateful that Sabrina signed her up for the SYFC free flying training course, opening the door to an opportunity she never imagined.

Despite her growing confidence, Anisha is not immune to fear. She sometimes worries about being late for her flying classes or being the only girl in her batch. However, the sensible teenager pushes through, embracing the uncertainties that come with the precious opportunity to reach for the sky.

As Nelson Mandela said, “I learnt that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” With Sabrina and the GEM Mentoring Programme’s support, we hope Anisha’s determination continues to soar so she can conquer her fears and let her dreams take flight!