Twenty years ago, when a three-year-old girl stood before me and sweetly said, “Good morning, Teacher Yap,” and then opened her book to read the words I had taught her, the pure joy and sense of achievement deeply moved me. However, I also realized that many children who came to me were those who frowned at books, disliked learning, or were afraid to try. They showed me the true challenges of education and helped me understand that the essence of teaching goes beyond imparting knowledge—it lies in unlocking the potential and hope within every child.
Over the past two decades, YELAOSHR has faced challenges and evolved from a small classroom into a nationwide educational platform. Throughout this journey, we’ve held firm to one belief: to deliver education with craftsmanship and purposefully inspire the future. This commitment has been both our promise and our driving force.
In these 20 years, we’ve witnessed countless children transform from ignorant and naive to brimming with confidence. We’ve also seen teachers grow from beginners to seasoned professionals. Their growth and breakthroughs have been my greatest motivation to persevere.
During this time, I’ve learned to see hope in every child’s eyes and to draw strength from the hard work of our team. Especially during the pandemic, when teaching methods faced unprecedented disruption, we didn’t retreat. Instead, our team’s unity and creativity forged a new path forward. It was during this period that I deeply realized: that the power of education isn’t just in the knowledge of books but in the shaping of hearts and minds.
This year, YELAOSHR’s “From Educator to Edupreneur” initiative earned global recognition by being featured in Finland’s HundrED Global Collection. This international honour acknowledges our 20-year educational philosophy and guides the path for our future. It reminds us that education isn’t just about passing on knowledge—it’s about breaking boundaries and creating infinite possibilities for children and our team.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to every parent, student, and team member who has been part of this journey. Your trust and support have built the YELAOSHR we see today. In the future, we will continue to uphold our mission, crafting even greater possibilities in education.
“Twenty years in reflection, our gratitude remains steadfast. We promise to pursue education with craftsmanship and the future with a pure heart.”
— Dr. Carol Yap, Co-Founder of YelaoShr®
