A Song of Hope

Hi! My name is Charis, and I have been a scholar with MILK since 2020, which was when I was in my second year of taking my Diploma in Social Work at Nanyang Polytechnic. Currently, I am in my second year of taking my Bachelor of Social Work with a Minor in Psychosocial Intervention at the Singapore University of Social Sciences. I have been very blessed to have my education fees taken care of by MILK for the past few years and to have Ms. Lillie and Mr. Suraj guide me along my growing journey. I have been trying my best to give back to MILK by being part of MILK's EXCO for the past year, and I am currently one of the four leads in charge of the latest EXCO for new, existing, and past MILK scholars. 

I have gone through my fair share of challenges in my 21 years, having separated from my family at a young age and being in the foster care system for several years. I have experienced many unfortunate circumstances and the thoughts of inadequacy and negative emotions that followed, which also wrecked my self-image and my relationships with others. There was always a sense of loneliness and anger that ate away at me day by day. I felt so empty and strayed away from all things good, as overexaggerated as that sounds.

I think that the hurt we experience, especially at a younger age, can easily do immense damage to our perception of ourselves. Surrounding ourselves with a good and grounded community can really do wonders in terms of ensuring that we can return to the right path, although we may stray away periodically.

I have always been drawn to music and the performing arts, and I enjoy using music as a means of expressing what cannot be said in mere words. I love learning new instruments, and I currently play the electric guitar, piano, and drums and have learned how to produce music. I have recently released a song titled ‘’Back to You’’ (Spotify Link), which is about finding my way back to a sense of purpose and belonging after being astray for so long. I hope that my music provides comfort to those who also feel lost and alone.

Lyrics:

In the glow of the moonlight
I am lost in my thoughts tonight
I’m searching for the one who feels right
There’s a weight on my shoulders

A feeling so profound I can’t shake it
But I will find my way 
If home is where the heart is,
Why do I still feel so far away?

I try and I try to find my place
But I feel I’m lacking the time and space
So I’ll shove my dreams in bags and 
Bear them firmly on my back 

With a heavy, empty heart
I will walk away
I will walk away
Until I find my way

But my bags aren’t filled with dreams
They hold my burdens and my peace
I’ll carry them through the fire.
They won’t get burned away

And with every step I take,
I’ll leave my past further away
And I will let myself be consumed 
By the ashes

So guide me to the place 
Where the heavy-laden go
And with every whisper of love
I feel my pain and guilt subside

Finding solace in melodies
Freedom in song
I don’t know where I belong
But I will try
To find my way
Back to you

I’ll be back to you.