She once struggled with school but is now a recipient of Singapore's highest youth development award

Solana Maria Mendoza, a 23-year-old Singaporean, once struggled academically and felt disconnected from her peers. However, she found solace in volunteering and never lost her passion to help others. This story is part of CNA Women’s Gen Z series. Mendoza initially dreamed of studying journalism, but her O-Level results led her to pursue a Community Care and Social Services course at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE).

After a stressful wait for her admission, she finally got accepted. During her time at ITE, she discovered her true calling in community service and social work. Mendoza volunteered at a charity that supports vulnerable women, children, and families, eventually leading a programme for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. This experience helped her break out of her introverted shell and develop leadership skills.

Mendoza's journey continued as she enrolled in ITE’s Higher Nitec in Early Childhood Education and later pursued a Psychology and Community Development diploma at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Apart from her academic pursuits, she volunteered at Therapeutic and Educational Riding in Singapore (Theris), providing equine-assisted therapy for children and adults with various conditions.

Working with horses became a calming and therapeutic experience for Mendoza, allowing her to build strong relationships with the children she guided. Mendoza’s dedication to community service has not gone unnoticed. She recently received the National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) Gold Award, which requires at least 60 hours of community service in 18 months.

Her impressive achievements demonstrate her resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others.