By Joyce Lim

SHE cannot remember the last time she challenged herself to do anything meaningful.

Before she moved into the Andrew and Grace (AG) Home last month, 16-year-old Candice (not her real name) was disinterested in her studies, co-curricular activities, and had no hobbies.

The teenager even had trouble getting out of bed to go to school.

But within a month of entering the shelter for troubled teens and juvenile delinquents, Candice found her passion in sports.

She will be taking part in her first sporting event - the 10km Mizuno Mount Faber run - on 14 June. (See report on facing page.)

Candice cannot be identified as she is underage.

She told The New Paper: 'Previously, I just couldn't get myself out of bed to go to school. I would skip school and stay at home for a week without a good reason.'

When her teachers questioned her about her absence, she would lie that she was having problems with her family.

Candice, who is from a single-parent family, said her mother did not know she played truant as she had to work.

But her teachers soon notified her mother, and suggested that she be sent to a girls' shelter.

Adjusting to life at the shelter during the first few weeks was difficult.

Among other activities, the shelter's founder and director Pastor Andrew Choo made it compulsory for all girls to attend two hours of 'sports time' every day.

'I was not used to it at first because I had to learn to do things together with the other girls in the home,' Candice said.

But running has taught her discipline.

Pastor Choo, 48, said that when Candice first arrived at the shelter, she was lethargic and had little interest in joining group activities. She was also physically weak.

He said: 'I encouraged her to take up sports. I told her how we can overcome her problems together through sports. If I am so old and I can still run, so can she.

'Running has helped her gain confidence and she has since gone back to school.'

AG Home had previously trained about a dozen of its residents to take part in triathlons. Some girls are currently training together with the National windsurfing and sailing team.

This time, Pastor Choo selected a new batch of girls to participate in the Mizuno Mount Faber Run.

He said: 'Not only will the competitive side of the race allow them to gauge their standards among other runners, it will also prepare them to face life after AG Home.

'Sports is a metaphorical language that I use with the girls. I want them to know that in every stage in life, there is some kind of competition.

'Long-distance races also help to train their mental state of mind. Sports can help build their character.'

Candice is among eight girls and two staff members who started training with volunteer coach Liew Wei Yong three weeks ago.

Last Saturday morning, this reporter attended one of their training sessions.

It was the girls' first time to Mount Faber. They were exhausted after a 30-minute run up the Marang Trail.

Uphill

The group had started their run uphill from the foot of Marang Trail, and when they started heading down the hill, Candice appeared pale.

The fair and skinny girl had missed breakfast that morning and had felt nauseous under the blistering sun.

Yet, she refused to give up and continued running.It was only when she hit the last uphill slope that she walked.

She said: 'This 10km run is probably the biggest challenge in my life. I don't aim to win. But I want to complete the race like everyone else.'

It was a challenge not only for Candice.

Another resident, Xiao Ru (not her real name), 14, who was sent to AG Home after she was caught glue-sniffing last December, said: 'I have never done a 10km run before.

'It is probably going to be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me.'

Our report prompts CEO to sponsor new shoes

A REPORT in The New Paper on Sunday last month spurred Mr Steven Goh to invite the girls from the AG Home to participate in the upcoming Mizuno Mount Faber Run.

The report, 'Sports can heal' (The New Paper on Sunday, 26 Apr), highlighted how sports helped the residents from the shelter for delinquent teens get their lives back on track.

Mr Goh, chief executive officer of VGO Corporation, not only invited the girls to run, he also provided them with new Mizuno running shoes and sports attire.

VGO Corporation, which runs World of Sports, is the main sponsor for the 10km run which is into its third year.

Mr Goh, 44, said: 'I come from a humble background too. I know what it's like to be wearing torn shoes.

'These girls are young and energetic and I want to help them channel their energy to the right activities. I agree with what was written in the article that sports can heal.

'At the same time, it is important to wear the right running shoes to avoid injuries. Mizuno is a serious sports performance footwear and with that, the girls can run further and better.'

On Tuesday, 11 pairs of Mizuno Wave Nexus 3 running shoes and Mizuno running apparel, worth about $3,000, were delivered to AG Home.

The apparel and shoes were distributed to eight girls, two staff members and a volunteer coach, who have signed up for the race.

Said Xiao Ru (not her real name), 14: 'I lost my pair of running shoes last month. Then I found a used pair in the home, which no one claimed.

'The soles were worn out and had holes. I never thought I would get brand new shoes. They're even in my favourite colour, pink.'

Another girl, a 15-year-old, added: 'I will definitely do my best for this run.'

FYI

WHAT: Mizuno Mount Faber Run

WHERE: Mount Faber

DISTANCE: 10km

TIME: 7.30am

ENTRY FEE: $35 for all categories - Men's and Women's Open and Men's and Women's Veteran

GOODIE BAG: Mizuno waist-pouch and running singlet worth $62.80, iTag for electronic timing and number tag, 30 per cent discount voucher for Mizuno products and a lucky draw entry.

Registration ends 31 May 2009

This article was first published in The New Paper.