ABOUT US
ABOUT US
ABOUT US
Starfish Singapore is a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting school dropouts by offering them a second chance at education. Beyond academics, we help out-of-school youth recognise their self-worth and achieve their full potential.
Starfish Singapore is a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting school dropouts by offering them a second chance at education. Beyond academics, we help out-of-school youth recognise their self-worth and achieve their full potential.
Our story
Our story
Our story
Our story
Starfish Singapore began in 2015 as a ground-up initiative and was entirely volunteer-run for a decade. In 2025, we took a leap of faith and hired two of our long-term volunteers as staff. This step lays the foundation for our next decade, where we are committed to building Starfish into a reputable and purposeful charity.
Starfish Singapore began in 2015 as a ground-up initiative and was entirely volunteer-run for a decade. In 2025, we took a leap of faith and hired two of our long-term volunteers as staff. This step lays the foundation for our next decade, where we are committed to building Starfish into a reputable and purposeful charity.
Starfish Singapore began in 2015 as a ground-up initiative and was entirely volunteer-run for a decade. In 2025, we took a leap of faith and hired two of our long-term volunteers as staff. This step lays the foundation for our next decade, where we are committed to building Starfish into a reputable and purposeful charity.
2015
2016
NOW
A gap in Singapore's education landscape
Secondary school dropouts faced significant barriers if they wish to return to their studies. Their only option is private school which can cost upwards of $5,000. Starfish Singapore was born in 2015 to directly address this gap.
2015
2016
NOW
A gap in Singapore's education landscape
Secondary school dropouts faced significant barriers if they wish to return to their studies. Their only option is private school which can cost upwards of $5,000. Starfish Singapore was born in 2015 to directly address this gap.
2015
2016
NOW
A gap in Singapore's education landscape
Secondary school dropouts faced significant barriers if they wish to return to their studies. Their only option is private school which can cost upwards of $5,000. Starfish Singapore was born in 2015 to directly address this gap.
2015
2016
NOW
A gap in Singapore's education landscape
Secondary school dropouts faced significant barriers if they wish to return to their studies. Their only option is private school which can cost upwards of $5,000. Starfish Singapore was born in 2015 to directly address this gap.
WHO WE SERVE
WHO WE SERVE
WHO WE SERVE
Starfish Singapore empowers secondary school dropouts to believe in themselves and dream different. Despite the various labels that may be pinned on them, we recognise they have goals and aspirations like every other youth.
Starfish Singapore empowers secondary school dropouts to believe in themselves and dream different. Despite the various labels that may be pinned on them, we recognise they have goals and aspirations like every other youth.
Starfish Singapore empowers secondary school dropouts to believe in themselves and dream different. Despite the various labels that may be pinned on them, we recognise they have goals and aspirations like every other youth.
Out-Of-School Youth
Out-Of-School Youth
The youths we journey with share multi-faceted challenges: family complications, low-income households, involvement in criminal activity, young parenthood, mental health struggles, which lead them to leave mainstream education. Research has shown that dropping out of school significantly affects a youth's self-confidence and esteem and socially isolates them.
The youths we journey with share multi-faceted challenges: family complications, low-income households, involvement in criminal activity, young parenthood, mental health struggles, which lead them to leave mainstream education. Research has shown that dropping out of school significantly affects a youth's self-confidence and esteem and socially isolates them.
Systems Gaps
Systems Gaps
There is a lack of accessible pathways for out-of-school youth to repursue education. Their path forward is often limited to vocational courses based on the assumption that they are not suited for academic pursuits. These vocational paths may not align with the youth's aspirations or long-term interests, leaving them to enter the workforce with only a Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) certificate.
There is a lack of accessible pathways for out-of-school youth to repursue education. Their path forward is often limited to vocational courses based on the assumption that they are not suited for academic pursuits. These vocational paths may not align with the youth's aspirations or long-term interests, leaving them to enter the workforce with only a Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) certificate.
Second Chances
Second Chances
Our programmes provide a classroom environment where out-of-school youth can connect with peers on their own unique journeys. Our classroom is a safe space where students can build a community that gives them the confidence to try again.
Our programmes provide a classroom environment where out-of-school youth can connect with peers on their own unique journeys. Our classroom is a safe space where students can build a community that gives them the confidence to try again.
VIEW OUR PROGRAMMES
VIEW OUR PROGRAMMES
VIEW OUR PROGRAMMES
COLLABORATE WITH US
COLLABORATE WITH US
COLLABORATE WITH US
Our values
TRUST
Affirming that everyone in the community is committed to doing their best.
EMPATHY
To support one another by truly listening and acknowledging their struggles.
SERVICE
A readiness to offer a helping hand and give back, to the best of one’s capacity.
RESPECT
To treat all those who are part of the Starfish community with care.
POSITIVITY
A willingness to try and make a change in what they can control.
EMPATHY
EMPATHY
To support one another by truly listening and acknowledging their struggles.
To support one another by truly listening and acknowledging their struggles.
TRUST
TRUST
Affirming that everyone in the community is committed to doing their best.
Affirming that everyone in the community is doing their best.
SERVICE
SERVICE
A readiness to offer a helping hand and give back, to the best of one’s capacity.
A readiness to offer a helping hand and give back, to the best of one’s capacity.
RESPECT
RESPECT
To treat all those who are part of the Starfish community (volunteers, students) with care.
To treat all those who are part of the Starfish community with care.
POSITIVITY
POSITIVITY
A willingness to try and make a change in what they can control.
A willingness to try and make a change in what they can control.
Starfish was conceived as a community project, a small group of people in the community with the most sincere intention
The experiences serving our Starfishes in many ways challenged our own beliefs and attitudes, and with it, we experience self-growth.
Siti Yariyati, Co-founder, Starfish Singapore
Meet the team
NUR AQILAH
Programs and Community Manager
SITI YARIYATI
Co-Founder, Chief Dreamer,
Starfish Singapore
KAAMELA
BARIVIN
Partnerships and
Communications Manager
Starfish was conceived as a community project, a small group of people with the most sincere intention. Little did we know, that the youths we helped, helped us, in return.
The experiences serving our Starfishes in many ways challenged our own beliefs and attitudes, and with it, we experience self-growth.
Siti Yariyati, Co-founder, Starfish Singapore
Meet the team
NUR
AQILAH
Programs and Community Manager
SITI
YARIYATI
Co-Founder, Chief Dreamer,
Starfish Singapore
KAAMELA
BARVIN
Partnerships and
Communications Manager
Meet the team
NUR
AQILAH
Programs and Community Manager
Co-Founder, Chief Dreamer, Starfish Singapore
SITI
YARIYATI
KAAMELA
BARVIN
Partnerships and Communications Manager