Inspired by Sun Xueling’s letter to younger self, Nafa teacher produces artwork to reach ‘struggling’ students

SINGAPORE — As an adjunct lecturer at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Nafa), Mr Josef Lee teaches illustration and his classes mainly consist of students aged between 18 and 20. 

“Every year, I'm seeing so many of them struggling with self-confidence issues and trying hard to fit in,” the 42-year-old said.

It is precisely this reason why he felt that the experiences penned and posted on Facebook recently by Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State for Education and Social and Family Development, struck such a chord with him. 

It inspired him to draw a set of illustrations based on what Ms Sun wrote in a “letter” to herself in 1996 — a 17-year-old student who was facing great difficulties adjusting to a new environment as she began her studies in a junior college. 

“I hope that this comic version of Ms Sun's experience can help to reach out to more youngsters and provide them with some needful advice,” Mr Lee said. 

On July 28, Ms Sun wrote a letter to her 17-year-old self, telling her that although she may be struggling to find new friends in junior college, she will eventually meet people who will love her and whom she will love in return. 

Mr Lee told TODAY that he was very touched by Ms Sun’s note and felt that her experiences resonated with him as well. 

He also said that it carried encouraging and important messages for teenagers and he thought that presenting them in  a way that would appeal more to younger people.

Ms Sun is also a Member of Parliament in Punggol West and, although Mr Lee is not a resident in the constituency, he has been following her Facebook page because he enjoys reading the accounts of her interactions with her residents. 

In response to queries from TODAY, Ms Sun said that she went through a dark period as a young person and wanted to let others who may be going through a difficult time know that they are not alone. 

“I hope that they will find the strength to carry on and keep hope alive, that there will be better and brighter days.

“I was pleasantly surprised by Mr Lee’s drawings and I am grateful that Mr Lee had drawn with such tenderness and put so much heart into it,” she said.