I wish to be a penguin expert

A boy in a blue hat and mask gently touches a penguin while an adult kneels nearby. Other people are seen in the background at an outdoor animal enclosure. A badge reads, YOUR SUPPORT NEEDED: I wish to be a penguin expert.

A young boy wearing glasses, a mask, a blue hat, and a blue Make-A-Wish Singapore shirt stands outdoors with a backpack and binoculars. An adult in a green shirt and mask crouches beside him.

At just 3 years old, Darren was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumor, a rare form of kidney cancer. He subsequently endured extensive treatments, including surgery and chemotherapy, before finally being in remission.

At 7 years old, Darren’s wish came true when he and his family were taken to Singapore Zoo to meet the penguins! Darren dressed up as an explorer, complete with a ranger’s hat and binoculars, and set off on a VIP tour guided by experts. In a fun-filled educational day, Darren and his family had the opportunity to meet & greet the African penguins, feed the giraffes, and complete various activities.

During the visit, Darren took inspiration from the animals he saw, sketching them down as he watched them. Darren loves to draw and over the following months Darren developed characters and a storyline based on the penguins in his sketchbook. A few months later, Darren completed his book in time to celebrate his achievement on his birthday! We hope the memories of his wish live on in Darren’s book, and in his mind for years to come.

Wishes like this can bring hope without limits to children like Darren. But we still need your help to keep granting them. Please donate today.

I wish to be a penguin expert

“Together we make the impossible, possible.”