Sharmela Jeyaraman

Hello! I'm Sharmela, 23, from KL, and I am currently pursuing a BA (Hons) in communication at Sunway University. Okay, so a little bit about me: I come from a single-parent household which consists of me, my sister (Venisri), my twin brother (Sritharan), my younger brother (Sriraj), and my mother. My father used to be in the picture, but this ceased to be when I was 13. Although my father worked as a personal driver, he was also a huge alcoholic, culminating in multiple accidents and constantly heated feuds with my mother. Eventually, their relationship got so strained that they decided to separate. The sudden separation left my parents unable to take care of my siblings and me; it also impacted our studies greatly. But fortunately, a sister who worked in Malaysian Care, Margaret, introduced us to a social care center in Sepang that has remained my home since then. Even now, that place still acts as a safe community refuge for those that do not have a place to live but still possess a bright hope for the future. 

Growing up, I didn't have access to many gadgets or devices, so I filled my time exploring as many diverse interests as possible! For example, I've always had a passion for dancing and would spend many days doing performances for various events. Furthermore, I also explored other interests such as painting the wall, baking birthday cakes, sewing bed sheets, gardening, and cooking. I even worked on Jumble Sales, selling second-hand clothes and souvenirs to raise funds for the home. Once, I even participated in a camping event by leaderonomics to learn life skills with a small group of my church friends from Royal Rangers. Staying in this home instilled the necessary courage and strength in me to live independently of my parents' support. 
After completing SPM, I yearned to further my studies at a good university that offered excellent educational programmes. Fortunately, at this time, Ms. Pauline from Malaysian Care would introduce me to the JCF Community Scholarship offered by Sunway University. So, with nothing to lose, I decided to give it a shot. Some time passed, and I was informed by the scholarship department that I had received the scholarship to pursue a diploma in Hotel Management at Sunway College. Words could not describe the immeasurable joy I felt then; I was blessed with an opportunity to study at one of the best schools in Malaysia! It would not be an understatement to say that my life completely changed from that moment on. 
My college life had truly been a blast; the state-of-the-art facilities and pleasant environment at Sunway college made every day a joy to study there. But by far, the best experience came with hanging out with the friends I made from college. Even now, one of my fondest memories remains our Sunway Lagoon trip back in 2019; an experience made possible only due to the school's generosity in giving free passes. Honestly, what more could anyone wish for? No other schools have shined as bright as Sunway College & University. 

This scholarship has unlocked a path toward my dreams while providing a tremendous opportunity to hone my education and skills to achieve greater success and give back to the community. For the readers, always look for the best opportunities; challenge yourself by believing in yourself and making it happen. Only by doing it will you know what you're capable of! All of this wouldn't have happened if I didn't believe in myself to push beyond, a decision I am forever grateful for. I am proud to have all these precious experiences as part of #MySunwayStory!

Sharmela Jeyaraman
BA (Hons) in Communication
Jeffrey Cheah Foundation Community Scholarship