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Becoming a Family Champion

Kimberly first encountered FamChamps, a youth initiative of Focus on the Family Singapore, in 2019 and began volunteering as a mentor to lower secondary students. She expected to encourage young people to become positive influences within their families. Instead, the experience would transform her own understanding of family and relationships.

Growing up, Kimberly had little relationship with her father. Having been separated from him at a young age, she spent much of her life believing that reconnecting with him was neither possible nor desirable. The absence of a father figure shaped how she viewed family, and for many years, she kept an emotional distance from that part of her story.

Through her involvement with FamChamps, Kimberly was challenged by a simple but powerful idea: no one is too young, too insignificant, or too distant from a situation to play a role in strengthening family relationships. As she mentored students and witnessed moments of appreciation between parents and children, she began reflecting on the relationships in her own life.

One experience, in particular, left a lasting impression. During Honour Night, a parents appreciation event, students were invited to express gratitude to their parents. Watching these moments unfold stirred something deeply personal within Kimberly. For the first time, she found herself wondering what it might look like to honour and acknowledge her own father despite the years of separation.

In 2022, after almost 17 years of distance, Kimberly took a courageous step and reconnected with her father.

Looking back, she believes the journey would have been far more difficult without the encouragement, community and insights she gained through FamChamps. The experience helped her recognise that families are not strengthened by perfect circumstances, but through intentional acts of understanding, reconciliation and connection.

Today, Kimberly's story is a reminder of why strong families matter. Behind every family is a relationship worth nurturing, healing or rebuilding. Through programmes like FamChamps, Focus on the Family Singapore helps individuals discover practical ways to strengthen family bonds, creating positive change that can be felt not only within a household, but across generations.

"I learnt that no one is too young to be a family champion. If not for the support and insights I gained through FamChamps, I may never have recognised the role I could play in bringing positive change to my own family."

Kimberly Kwan
FamChamps Mentor (2019-2023)

Other Stories

Giving Family a Second Chance

Jamie attended the pilot FamChamps Camp in 2014 as a teenager. Through activities such as FamQuest, workshops on family dynamics and the 5 Love Languages, as well as meaningful conversations with family members during Honour Night, Jamie left the programme with a deeper appreciation for family and a desire to strengthen relationships at home. At the time, there did not seem to be an urgent need for change. Family life felt relatively stable, and many of the lessons learnt remained convictions rather than necessities. Everything changed in 2019. Shortly after completing A-levels, Jamie received a phone call that would alter the course of family life. A divorce was underway, and in the years that followed, family relationships became strained. As the pandemic unfolded, Jamie found herself navigating university life while grappling with disappointment, resentment and a growing sense of distance from his father. For a period of time, it felt easier to remain disconnected. Yet the values and convictions formed through FamChamps continued to shape how Jamie responded. Deep down, she believed that family was still worth fighting for. After years of estrangement, Jamie chose to take the first step. She initiated a trip with her father and sister, creating space for conversations that had long been avoided. Although the process was uncomfortable and often challenging, it became the beginning of a new chapter in their relationship. Through these experiences, Jamie gained a deeper understanding of her father's story and rediscovered the love that had often gone unspoken. Looking back, Jamie believes FamChamps helped shape the mindset and courage needed to become a catalyst for positive change when her family faced one of its most difficult seasons. Today, she continues to champion the belief that strong families are worth investing in. "Giving my family a second chance is a cause I'm willing to stand for. Support youths and their endeavours. You might be surprised at the lengths we'll go to build stronger families for tomorrow." Jamie Lee Pioneer Participant of FamChamps and President, 1st FamChamps Council