Sharon Khoo – 2022 SG Silent Hero

Sharon’s selflessness transcends her own challenges. In 2004, she adopted the son of a close relative, a single mother, who was tragically lost to a criminal act. Another tragedy struck her in 2011 when she lost her husband to illness and became a single mother to her own son and adopted son.  

In addition, her adopted son was diagnosed with a condition known as global developmental delay. Despite all these issues, she maintained her resilience.

To care for her two sons, and to pay special attention to her adopted son, Sharon gave up her full-time career as a caregiver and focused on them. She guided his development all the way up to his graduation last year from the Hotel and Accommodation Services programme, offered by APSN Delta Senior School.

In the mornings while her adopted son would be at school, Sharon dedicated her time and effort to other children with special needs, as a part-time teacher aide at AWWA, a social service agency.

Sharon regularly arranged social gatherings for children with special needs, providing them with bonding opportunities. Ms Sharon also encouraged her adopted son to develop his physical and kin aesthetic abilities and was a pillar of support during his participation in the Special Olympics. With the help of a friend, Sharon also assisted other children with special needs to explore table-tennis as an interest.

Sharon also guided her adopted son to develop his drumming ability by enrolling him at Faith Music Centre. Sharon herself picked up drumming. As part of the Penguin Band, she has also performed to seniors at the All Saints Home.

Since 2016, she has been assisting the disabled and the elderly at various performances. In 2017 and 2018 Sharon volunteered to lead persons with disabilities through events such as the Singapore Armed Forces Day held at Temasek Polytechnic.