AN OPPORTUNITY FOR
YOUTHS TO DREAM AGAIN
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTHS TO DREAM AGAIN
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTHS TO DREAM AGAIN
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTHS TO DREAM AGAIN
Starfish Singapore is a ground-up initiative uplifting out-of-school youth
Starfish Singapore is a ground-up initiative uplifting out-of-school youth
Starfish Singapore is a ground-up initiative
uplifting out-of-school youth
A ground-up founded in 2015, we offer school dropouts a second chance at education
A ground-up founded in 2015, we offer school dropouts a second chance at education
A ground-up founded in 2015, we offer school dropouts a second chance at education
The youths we journey with share a difficult combination of life challenges, which often lead them to leave mainstream education. Learn more here
The youths we journey with share a difficult combination of life challenges, which often lead them to leave mainstream education. Learn more here
Timeline
Journey
Highlights
A ground-up
started in 2015 by
a multiracial trio:
Siti, Andy and Ritu.
A ground-up started in 2015 by a multiracial trio:
Siti, Andy and Ritu.
2015
Project Starfish was founded to provide an accessible alternative for school dropouts to pursue education again.
Before Starfish Singapore was founded in 2015, school dropouts in Singapore had limited options to continue with their education. Returning to education meant costly private schools, with fees upwards of $5,000.
It was also assumed that those who dropped out simply weren’t “meant for academics”. Short-term vocational courses were often their only path forward.
2
2
2
Volunteers
Volunteers
Volunteers
3
3
3
Students benefitted
Students benefitted
Students benefitted
2020
Our classrooms frequently shifted year after year, and for a brief period, classes were even held in local fast-food restaurants.
However, the project's trajectory stabilised with the support of the Rotary Foundation of Singapore, particularly Rotary’s Past District Governor Dr. Philbert Chin. With their support, Starfish officially became a registered society, allowing it to establish its own bank account and committee, among other new beginnings.
10
10
10
Volunteers
Volunteers
Volunteers
40
40
40
Students benefitted
Students benefitted
Students benefitted
2025
After a decade of being run entirely by volunteers, Project Starfish hired its first two full-time staff members.
Project Starfish started serving 60 students while receiving over 100 applications each year. Each student received free assessment books and worksheets.
The team then successfully secured the Majurity Trust and Temasek Foundation New Horizon Grant. This was another turning point, enabling us to build our organisation’s capacity and expand its impact to meet a clear demand for its services.
>40
>40
>40
Volunteers
Volunteers
Volunteers
60
60
60
Students benefitted
Students benefitted
Students benefitted
A second chance for lasting change
EMPOWERING
EMPOWERING
OUT OF SCHOOL YOUTH TO
OUT OF SCHOOL YOUTH TO
DREAM DIFFERENT
DREAM DIFFERENT
Starfish is a community for youths on unique journeys
Starfish is a community for youths on unique journeys
Out-of-school youth
have goals and aspirations like every other youth.
Despite the various labels pinned on them by society, school dropouts have goals and aspirations like every other youth.
To date, Starfish Singapore has empowered over 350 out-of-school youth. Our flagship programme opens doors for them to pursue further education and/or secure better-paying jobs.
Our classroom isn’t just about academics; it’s a supportive community that offers a safe space for these young individuals to connect with peers who are also navigating their own unique journeys.
Be a Guiding Light
Lend your time, heart, and skills to uplift youth. Whether it’s mentoring, tutoring, or community events.
Join Our Mission
Work with us to co-create meaningful programs, campaigns, or impact initiatives. Let’s build something greater together.
Follow us on instagram
Get a behind-the-scenes look at our programs, stories from the ground, and everyday moments of impact.
Out-of-school youth
have goals and aspirations like every other youth.
Despite the various labels pinned on them by society, school dropouts have goals and aspirations like every other youth.
To date, Starfish Singapore has empowered over 350 out-of-school youth. Our flagship programme opens doors for them to pursue further education and/or secure better-paying jobs.
Our classroom isn’t just about academics; it’s a supportive community that offers a safe space for these young individuals to connect with peers who are also navigating their own unique journeys.
Be a Guiding Light
Lend your time, heart, and skills to uplift youth. Whether it’s mentoring, tutoring, or community events — your presence matters.
Join Our Mission
Work with us to co-create meaningful programs, campaigns, or impact initiatives. Let’s build something greater together.
Follow us
on instagram
Follow us on instagram
Get a behind-the-scenes look at our programs, stories from the ground, and everyday moments of impact.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at our programs, stories from the ground,
and everyday moments of impact.
Timeline
Journey Highlights
A ground-up started in 2015 by a multiracial trio: Siti, Andy and Ritu.
2015
Project Starfish was founded to provide an accessible alternative for school dropouts to pursue education again.
Before Starfish Singapore was founded in 2015, school dropouts in Singapore had limited options to continue with their education. Returning to education meant costly private schools, with fees upwards of $5,000.
It was also assumed that those who dropped out simply weren’t “meant for academics”. Short-term vocational courses were often their only path forward.
2
Volunteers
3
Students benefitted
2020
Our classrooms frequently shifted year after year, and for a brief period, classes were even held in local fast-food restaurants.
However, the project's trajectory stabilised with the support of the Rotary Foundation of Singapore, particularly Rotary’s Past District Governor Dr. Philbert Chin. With their support, Starfish officially became a registered society, allowing it to establish its own bank account and committee, among other new beginnings.
10
Volunteers
40
Students benefitted
2025
After a decade of being run entirely by volunteers, Project Starfish hired its first two full-time staff members.
Project Starfish started serving 60 students while receiving over 100 applications each year. Each student received free assessment books and worksheets.
The team then successfully secured the Majurity Trust and Temasek Foundation New Horizon Grant. This was another turning point, enabling us to build our organisation’s capacity and expand its impact to meet a clear demand for its services.
>40
Volunteers
60
Students benefitted
A second chance for lasting change
EMPOWERING
OUT OF SCHOOL YOUTH
TO DREAM DIFFERENT
Starfish is a community for youths on unique journeys
Out-of-school youth
have goals and aspirations like every other youth.
Despite the various labels pinned on them by society, school dropouts have goals and aspirations like every other youth.
To date, Starfish Singapore has empowered over 350 out-of-school youth. Our flagship programme opens doors for them to pursue further education and/or secure better-paying jobs.
Our classroom isn’t just about academics; it’s a supportive community that offers a safe space for these young individuals to connect with peers who are also navigating their own unique journeys.
Be a Guiding Light
Lend your time, heart, and skills to uplift youth. Whether it’s mentoring, tutoring, or community events.
Join Our Mission
Work with us to create meaningful programs, campaigns
or impact initiatives, let's build something greater together.
Follow us on instagram
Get a behind-the-scenes look at our programs, stories from the ground, and everyday moments of impact.