All we need, is a second chance

Hello, I’m Lennon Teo, and I was once a drug convict.

I was a business entrepreneur 3 years ago when. I was a cafe owner of my own, my business went well but unfortunately I gave in to drugs. At the end of the day I lost everything and got myself into huge amount of debts. I even lost the support from all of my family members.

For the last 2 years, I have been living in a rented room at about $300 per month. I earn a salary of just enough for myself, but every month I have been paying off my debts, from $60,000 down to $15,000. I had just cup noodles or bread with spread on most days, but I’m actually thankful that I cleared most of my debts. I’m only 26 this year, but I’m living a life of a 80 year old woman. But I have no one to blame But myself.

It’s been 18 months since I have stop touching them, and I want to start a new life by starting a new business of my own. Every now and then, I have been thinking of business idea, and I have been working on one closely for the past 6 months. So now, I’m looking for funds from the public to fund my start up capital. Banks and loan institutes wouldnt hesitate to reject my application as I used to have bad credit records till today.

I’m ready to make a difference in my life, but I don’t have the capital and ability currently. During these years, I have Lost a number of friends because of their addiction to drugs. I also have got friends that sacrifice their life due to major depression, as people of the society still despise them for what they did in the past. Most of us lost the love from our family, parents disown us due to the embarrassment we brought to them. We want to go home one day, to make them proud of us, to feel the warmth of a family.

In Singapore, there are many people who needs help like this. Be it turning over a new leaf or to start something new. They have got amazing business ideas but they have got their limitations.

My dream is to restart my life, stand up and be successful again, and help people like me to start a fresh, give them a chance and a new opportunity- it’s As meaningful as saving a life.

My business idea is a whole new cafe/eatery concept, to give job opportunities to young ex drug convicts like me and to help them turn their miserable life to something achieving. Every amount is going to bring me or us somewhere in life, thank you for saving mine, and thank you for giving us a chance. God bless you.