Former Boys' Town boy keeps others from veering off right path

He returns to children's home as a youth worker after finishing NS and diploma

- Syarafana Shafeeq

As a troubled 12-year-old, Jai Kishen Ramakrishnan was sent to Boys' Town for four years to help him break out of a bad cycle.

He had started smoking, drinking and keeping bad company after a rough childhood and the loss of his father, and was placed by his mother in Boys' Town.

Now at 30, he roams the streets after sunset as a senior youth worker for the very same children's home, looking out for boys and girls who may be veering down the wrong path.

It is people like Mr Jai and many other past residents who have gone back to help at the home as adults who keep the passion of helping these children alive, said Boys' Town executive director Roland Yeow.

Mr Yeow, who also stayed at the children's home in his youth in 1992, said: "It comes full circle. As youths, we were the beneficiaries, but now we can come back to serve and take the opportunity to enhance the services available at the home."