HomeTeamNS Children’s Education Award recipient may appear to be a shy child, but she dreams of an acting career.
TEXT: NUR ADLINA BINTE ADAM
PHOTOS: HOMETEAMNS
Despite her shy demeanour, Han Meng Chen, daughter of HomeTeamNS Ordinary member Mr Han Lin Zhuo, wants to be an actor. Meng Chen was among 80 recipients of the HomeTeamNS Children’s Education Award, where she was among the top five students in the Primary 3 and 4 cohort.
Speaking at the ceremony, Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister to State, Ministry of Home Affairs and National Development, and HomeTeamNS President said: “Young people are the present and the future of our nation. HomeTeamNS believes that good education plays a vital role in paving the way for a better future. Though the journey may be tedious, it is true grit and determination that propels us closer to success.”
This reflected well on Meng Chen, as she achieved excellent grades for her semester results in 2021 and was also a prefect at North View Primary School. Indeed, her father is proud of her stunning achievements. “I’m happy that she has passed and more importantly, she enjoys acquiring more knowledge through her school lessons and is able to apply this knowledge to solve real-life problems,” Mr Han said.
UNITED AS ONE
Mr Han is the sole parent and breadwinner, which means he has to fulfill the vital roles of a nurturing mother and a protective father to Meng Chen. He believes he does not need to exert pressure on his daughter to excel in her studies as she is a responsible child. Working as a freelancer gives Mr Han the opportunity to help Meng Chen with Mathematics. He also tries his best to protect her from negative influences on social media.
This is not the first time Meng Chen has received the HomeTeamNS Children’s Education Award, which has helped offset the cost of her school fees. It also allowed them to start saving for her future studies.
WORKING TOWARDS HER DREAM
Meng Chen was inspired to become an actor after watching Netflix’s Wednesday and Disney’s Cruella, which were fronted by acclaimed actors Jenna Ortega and Emma Stone respectively.
“I think Jenna Ortega is graceful and can solve a lot of mysteries and cases just like policemen,” she shared. Mr Han added that Meng Chen is intrigued by compelling roles.
And she’s already started taking small steps to achieving her dream. Meng Chen is a Drama Club member in school and played the role of an ant in The Butterfly and the Boy during a performance in school. “It’s fun, and you can express your feelings freely through the role that you play,” she said.
Meng Chen plans to study acting and hopes to act in foreign films – perhaps alongside some of her idols.
More than 2,600 children of HomeTeamNS Ordinary Members have received help from the CEA since its inception in 2004. With CEA, we hope to reward and celebrate families, and encourage students to excel academically. For the latest updates on the applications, visit our website or Facebook page.
