%20(1)_edited.png)
From our
Co-Founders...
From our Co-Founders...
For a while, I volunteered with an NGO in which we worked with under resourced school students who were about to leave school. Some of these kids we worked with were really motivated and switched on and I remember saying to myself that I’d be so happy if I could just hire one of them into my team at work. However, many seemed to believe they were not destined to achieve anything great in this world because they were never going into university.
In the last few years, both our sons managed to enroll into university. We are very happy of course. But this process has taken significant resources and support; something that I do not think any of these students and their families could access.
This is what I call a “stupid” situation. Whilst society so desperately needs creative and engaged talents, so many are left on the sidelines of mainstream “social ladder”.
This is also a massive opportunity – I want to see if I can be part of the solution; to help change this “stupid” status quo.
Lawrence
When I was a kid, I was taught in a way where teachers ask questions and I learn to answer them according to the model answer.
When I was a teenager, I was taught to be a critical thinker. I then learnt to challenge the answer.
When I was a young adult, I was taught to think deeper, broader. I then decided - why not challenge the question.
Now that I have my own children, what I hope for them is to challenge everything that I had, and more - challenge assumptions. Assumptions on what they should be, what they should have, what clothes they wear, what cars they drive. Assumptions on what success is. Assumptions on what leads to happiness. Assumptions on happiness being the ultimate goal in life. Assumptions on there being an end to life. The list can go on.
I see D2S as an initiative to challenge conformities the society has on the younger generation and help youngsters break through their own preconceptions.
Yvonne
I’ve always found bridging differences fascinating. There are so many missed opportunities just because of ‘not knowing’. Once you connect the dots, the possibilities are limitless.
Since I started volunteering with under-resourced students, I often wonder how much difference it would make if they had more access to resources. There are so many talents left aside just because they do not fare well in public exams.
I see D2S as an initiative to bridge gaps and connect dots for the under-resourced. Revitalizing that talent pool and promoting innovation can create tremendous opportunities not only for their families but also help restore the vibrancy of our economy.
D2S is not about doing something nice, but trying to be a force for impact.
Eugene
Our Story
Our Story
D2S is a social incubator
We believe tertiary education is neither the definition of nor the only pathway to success.
We aim to promote social mobility through being the illustrator and navigator for the alternative social ladder that we believe already exists.
We focus on talented youngsters whose talent and/or social background do not lend themselves easily or naturally to the traditional social ladder via tertiary education.