No matter how some might perceive me, S'pore will always be home: African teen, 19, on growing up in S'pore & facing stereotypes

19-year-old Odera James has a Nigerian father and a Singaporean Indian mother.

He was born here, attends a local school, and hopes to serve his National Service (NS) after he graduates.

While some may make assumptions of him based on his looks, the soft-spoken youth hopes to rewrite stereotypes and share his experience living as an African Singaporean here.

This is his story.

By Odera James

I was born in Singapore.

A few months after I was born, my family moved to Australia, because my mum was pursuing further studies.

We stayed there for a few years — four to five years. Then I came back to Singapore.

So I've lived in Singapore for 13 years.

My mum is Singaporean Indian, and my father is Nigerian.

Basically, I'm like a Singaporean dish: rojak.

What was your earliest memory of Singapore?

My earliest memory of Singapore was when I was a kid, in daycare.

I attended the PAP daycare, under my block.

I made a lot of friends. I remember throwing quite a few birthday parties in my class.

Then I attended Mayflower Primary School, then Spectra Secondary School.

In primary and secondary school, I was quite laid back to be honest.

So I didn't do well.

What was it like moving back to Singapore?

Actually, moving back to Singapore was quite tumultuous and stressful.

My father is a Nigerian citizen, so he had some struggles with immigration, and had to leave the country every three months.

It was quite hard on my family, because my father wasn't really in my life much.

Whenever I saw kids with their fathers, I saw how they could see their fathers all the time, unlike me.

A few years later, my mother and father got divorced. My father went back permanently to Nigeria.

For almost 10 years, we were estranged, like quite distant from each other.

And a few months ago, my father passed away.

Did you have trouble settling down?

When I was in Australia, I had a hard time adjusting, because I told them I was from Singapore.

But when I went to a Singaporean school, I was also seen as quite different.

People said, 'oh, you're an international student. Aren't you supposed to be in an international school?'"

And I told them I was born in Singapore, I just look different.

People would also have some stereotypes of me. Especially elderly people.

Like sometimes when I try to sit with an elderly person on the bus, they'll look at me, then they will stand up and walk away.

But in my mind I try to see it in a positive way. Like maybe they have just not seen a person like me before.

Maybe if they see more of me, then they'll get used to it.

What about today? Do you feel Singaporean?

Even now, I feel like I'm living between two worlds.

Some people see me as too African, others see me as not African enough.

I felt that I had to prove to myself that even though I may be foreign-looking, I can still be accepted and considered a local.

I do want to serve my National Service, after I complete my diploma. I want to give back to the country.

I'm actually looking forward to it. It's the best way I can give back to my country, at this young age.

Because I've been here for so long, I grew up here, I made a life for myself here.

No matter how I look, how people might perceive me or judge me, Singapore will always be my home.

What are your dreams in Singapore?

When I graduated from secondary school, I wanted to pursue logistics.

I went to ITE and pursued this programme called Nitec in Logistic Services. Then Higher Nitec.

Now I'm doing the Work-Study Diploma at ITE.

[During my Nitec] I was able to do well enough that I became the bronze course medallist, which means I was third place in my course of study.

I felt very grateful that my teachers had faith in me to give me these kinds of awards.

It showed that they really cared. So I also ensured that I did my best throughout my course of study.

After I graduate, I want to work for like 15 to 20 years, and then, I would like to start my own logistics business.

How do you plan to celebrate National Day?

My mum and I are quite celebratory about it. We watch it every single year.

I attended a National Day Parade in 2014, and then also the National Education (NE) show in primary school.

I'm quite curious every year what they're gonna do.

My favourite National Day song is the 2016 one, "Tomorrow's Here Today".

I think it's quite catchy, and it brings people together.

That's why it's my favourite NDP song ever.