Editor Gregory Francis caught up with Class of 2017’s Bachelor of Social Work (Merit)
alumnus, Mr Benny Thiam, for a heart-warming and forthright interview. Benny was
the recipient of the National Council of Social Service’s Gold Award for being the top
graduating student of the Social Work programme. Benny is currently a social worker at
the Methodist Welfare Services Family Service Centre.
Sipping coffee and sitting at a McDonald’s outlet near Khatib, Benny gave us a glimpse
into his life. This is his story.
THE FALL
Aged 14, while studying in Mayflower Secondary School, I started to experiment with
various drugs. It was fun for me at that time and I gradually became hooked. I was from
the normal academic stream and spent a total of seven years in secondary school. I was
a repeat student and had no interest in learning.
I joined a secret society and that made things worse. My school teachers had a tough
time handling me. Some of them commented that I was incorrigible, but I took all this
in my stride.