Growing Beyond Adversity
Supported by donor generosity during one of life’s most difficult chapters, Jasmin Kaur Sandhu transformed hardship into purpose and now serves others through a career in public service.
Today, Jasmin Kaur Sandhu (Arts and Social Sciences ’25) wears the uniform of an Inspector with the Singapore Police Force with confidence and purpose. A Psychology graduate from the National University of Singapore (NUS), she has overcome immense adversity to build a career dedicated to serving others.
Yet not long ago, the simple prospect of graduating from university felt like an unattainable dream.
For much of her undergraduate journey, Jasmin navigated life on her own. Thrust into the deep end by family violence and estrangement, she was forced to face challenges that extended far beyond the classroom. Caught in a relentless cycle of simply getting by, she found herself questioning if she would be forced to drop out of university.
“Without familial support or the ability to take an education loan, I was uncertain whether I could continue my studies,” she shared candidly.
Then came a turning point that rewrote her future: a donor-supported bursary. For students facing difficult circumstances, financial aid can be transformative. For Jasmin, it arrived during the darkest, most overwhelming period of her life.
“The Bursary did not just help pay my tuition fees,” Jasmin reflected, recalling her immense relief. “It lifted the invisible weight I carried daily and allowed me to focus on learning, growing and healing.”
With the stability to look beyond day-to-day survival, Jasmin was able to fully invest in her education and personal growth. Even while juggling part-time jobs to cover her daily living expenses, she maintained a GPA of 4.0 throughout her entire time at NUS.
Discovering Life-Changing Experiences
Grounded by the security that financial aid provided, Jasmin turned outward to extend the warmth she received to others.
She joined the NUS Teach SG programme as a peer mentor and educator, designing lessons and mentoring children from underprivileged backgrounds. She also started participating in Faithfully ASEAN, an interfaith and community leadership programme that brings together youths from diverse religious and cultural communities across Southeast Asia to foster deeper empathy and dialogue.
Jasmin (standing, fourth from left) with her friends from the Faithfully ASEAN interfaith and community leadership programme.
Beyond Singapore, Jasmin received the opportunity to be part of the University of Tokyo Global Unit Course, a summer programme in Japan. The experience allowed her to engage with students from around the world, immerse herself in a different culture and expand her horizons beyond the classroom.
“It reminded me that I am not invisible,” she said. “It showed me that kindness from others can open doors to life-changing experiences.
Jasmin (second from left) with other international students at the University of Tokyo.
Paying Kindness Forward
As she begins her career in public service, Jasmin hopes to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. She dreams of establishing a community-based non-profit organisation where anyone in need can find immediate refuge, hope and support, regardless of their background.
“My calling has always been to serve others, especially those made vulnerable by circumstances out of their control,” she shared. “I hope to be a compassionate leader who protects, uplifts and listens.”
Today, Jasmin serves those around her through her career as an inspector with the Singapore Police Force.
Jasmin’s story stands testament to the power of a bursary, which does far more than fund an education. It provides stability during uncertain times, empowers students to overcome profound personal trauma and alters the trajectory of their lives.
Today, Jasmin lives a life of gratitude, always remembering the support that makes her current impact possible. “In my most difficult moments, your generosity reminded me that there is always light ahead,” she wrote in a heartfelt letter to her donors. “You helped me persevere through tough times, and you believed in me when I needed it most. I will carry your kindness with me and will pay it forward wherever life takes me.”
For every student facing challenges, donor support is the difference between a dream deferred and a future realised. By investing in a student’s potential, donors help ensure that deserving individuals can succeed, igniting a cycle of goodwill that will be paid forward for generations to come.
Sow into a future of impact today. Gifts made to the Plant-It-Forward Bursary contribute to NUS’ Enhanced Financial Aid Scheme. What’s more, every S$1,000 is recognised with a new tree planted on campus.
