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Zulkifli 1

Zulkifli

An avid long-distance runner since primary school, little did Zulkifli expect that he would spend most of his adulthood running away from his past. He had a lifelong struggle with drug addiction, leading to two near-death experiences. The love of his family brought him back from the brink and gave him the strength to transform his life.

 

“My dad told me, the third time, maybe you won’t have a chance. That is why I need to turn back time, I need to turn back the clock. I’m doing this for my family. My younger brother is a drug addict, incarcerated now. I need to show him that we can change; We can do it together.

The strongest words that give me the motivation are “Thank you, Daddy.” Even small things like cooking instant noodles for my son, he comes to me and says: Thank you, Daddy. Those 3 words give me the burning desire to be someone they can look up to. And my wife is amazing, I’m fortunate… I’m very much excited to be living the life I’m supposed to live, and it is what I can actually see as life.”

Since his release after serving time for drug-related offences, Zulkifli has been determined to stay on the right path. His case manager at Lakeside walked with him on his journey of rehabilitation, providing counselling and coping strategies to remain drug-free. Lakeside also helped his family by linking them to community resources, such as getting sponsored groceries delivered to his house during Circuit Breaker.

With the support of his loving family and Lakeside, he is gainfully employed and aspires to be a mentor to others, knowing full well that the path to acceptance and rehabilitation is not a sprint, but a lifelong marathon.

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