Once on the wrong side of the law, Mr Kent Ho Chee Kiau now walks beside those still behind bars — guiding them towards healing, hope, and second chances.
When you meet Mr Kent Ho Chee Kiau, his humility and calm manner give little hint of the turbulent road he once travelled. But it is precisely this difficult, redemptive journey — one of struggle and hard-won transformation — that fuels his unwavering dedication to help those behind bars. For over a decade, Kent has served as a religious volunteer with the Singapore Prison Service (SPS), touching countless lives with his rare blend of empathy, steadfast faith, and quiet determination.
This year, in recognition of his service, Kent received the Minister for Home Affairs National Day Award (MNDA) for Home Team volunteers — a fitting tribute to someone who has spent 11 years sowing seeds of hope among inmates and their families.
But for Kent, volunteering was never about awards. It was about answering a higher calling rooted in personal pain and a belief that change is possible for anyone.
Kent’s journey began not with accolades, but with adversity. “I went through a wretched life in my early days,” he shares candidly. “I was imprisoned for drug consumption, so I understand the plight of those who are like me.”
That lived experience — of hitting rock bottom, confronting his demons, and slowly clawing his way back — gives his voice both authenticity and weight. When Kent steps into a prison, he doesn’t preach from a distance. He connects with the inmates as someone who has sat where they now sit, felt what they feel, and fought many of the same battles. “I’m a living testimony,” he says. “One who seemed incorrigible and almost lost his life, but finally found it.”
That turning point came when he was at death’s door. “I almost died when I injected drugs into my body,” Kent recalls. “My left leg turned black — the result of sepsis and a blood clot. The doctor gave me six to eight hours to live, but God preserved my life. The doctor successfully carried out a bypass to save my left leg — and me.”
That moment of grace marked the beginning of his journey to recovery. It also ignited a sense of purpose that continues to burn brightly today. Over the past 11 years, Kent has supported inmates not only through weekly religious sessions, but through a deep, personal commitment to helping them and their families heal and thrive.
Kent (second from left) at the Desistor Network Community Gathering on 29 April 2025, an event organised by the Singapore Prison Service (SPS).
Today, Kent serves as Chairman of the Loving Hand Fellowship (LHF), a religious organisation that offers both spiritual guidance and practical support to inmates. But his influence goes well beyond formal roles or structured programmes. Kent’s leadership is rooted in actions that are simple, consistent and compassionate.
Kent (first row, fifth from right) together with his fellowship members.
On more than one occasion, Kent has gone out of his way to support families of inmates in need. When he learnt that a young child had no proper bed to sleep on, he arranged for one to be delivered. On another occasion, he personally brought a second-hand television to a family in Marsiling, knowing it would bring a small measure of comfort to the children during a difficult time.
These gestures reflect a deeper conviction — one that drives Kent to keep showing up, again and again. “Because of my faith, I see it as the right thing to do,” he explains. “By helping others, I find that I am in turn blessed, with joy and good health.”
At the heart of Kent’s mission is a deep belief in faith as a transformative force. “On a personal level, I feel that religion is the only way that could change a person,” he shares. “At least it has done so for me.”
It was this renewed faith that gave Kent both focus and direction. “I diverted all my energy and attention to serving the community and people,” he reflects. “In this way, I have not only made lots of positive friends but taken on responsibilities and commitments which help much in my personal recovery.”
In prison, many inmates are searching for something steady to hold on to. Through his sessions, Kent helps them find inner peace, direction and a sense of moral grounding — often for the first time. But his influence extends well beyond the prison gates. He explains: “We make a difference by being, at times, a mediator to help reconcile inmates with their loved ones. Their family members look to us as trustees, in a sense.”
Kent (first from left) with his fellowship members at the Unlabelled Run 2025.
These reconciliations are more than symbolic. Volunteers like Kent play a vital role in rebuilding fractured relationships. In doing so, they create a ripple effect that supports both the inmate’s reintegration and the long-term stability of their families, especially when children are involved.
Despite the emotional rewards, the journey is far from easy and Kent is honest about the challenges. “Success stories are marginal,” he admits. “Out of 10 persons we help, maybe only two make it. But for those who relapse, we know we’ve at least planted the seed of faith. That, in itself, is motivation.”
What keeps him going through the setbacks is simple: “My faith keeps me grounded,” he says. “It’s like I’ve found treasures, and I want to share them with others.”
For Kent, every life turned around is a miracle worth striving for. Some of those he once counselled behind bars are now working, contributing and giving back, just like Kent. “I’ve seen inmates reintegrated into society. They’re restored, and today they’re contributing back to society. That gives me hope.”
One encounter that has stayed with him involved a Thai housewife he supported while her husband was in prison. “She had a six-month-old baby then,” he recalls. “Today, her child is in Primary 6 and she has become a permanent resident.” Kent also mentions several individuals from LHF who have completed their urine supervision and are now actively giving back to society. Witnessing these transformations firsthand reinforces his belief that the work, no matter how difficult, is worth it.
To those thinking of volunteering with the Home Team but remains unsure, Kent offers this simple advice: “I’ll tell them the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
It’s a timeless principle, but in Kent’s case, it’s more than a quote. It’s his lived philosophy. For him, volunteering isn’t just a side project or weekly activity. It’s a way of life, expressed consistently through quiet acts of compassion, humility, and human connection.
People like Kent show that real change happens through steady faith, simple acts, and small, meaningful moments. His story is a powerful reminder that a checkered past doesn’t disqualify someone from doing good. On the contrary, it may be the very thing that equips them to lift others up and help rewrite their stories.
If you’re thinking about volunteering but aren’t sure where to start, take a moment to explore the Home Team Volunteer Network to learn more about various volunteer schemes and discover how you can make a difference.
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