Sentinaro Shiu A Heart that Listens

The conversations often began in the school corridors, under shady trees during lunch breaks, or after class when everyone else had gone home. Friends would quietly seek out Sentinaro whenever life became too heavy. They spoke about arguments at home, friendships that had fallen apart, insecurities they could not share with anyone else. She listened patiently, never rushing to offer solutions or passing judgment. One day, a friend looked at her and said, “I feel very understood when I talk to you.” Those simple words lingered long after the conversation ended. At the time, Sentinaro did not know that this quiet ability to make people feel heard would one day shape her career. But the moment planted the first seed of what would eventually become her life’s purpose.

A Childhood Shaped by Resilience

Sentinaro’s story begins with a family that faced uncertainty but never lacked love. Her parents separated soon after she was born, leaving her mother to raise two young daughters on her own. Financial stability did not come easily. Her mother struggled through the early years without a steady job, and life was often difficult.

Yet, she never grew up feeling alone. Her extended family stepped in to fill every gap. Two uncles, two aunts, grandparents, cousins and siblings surrounded her with affection. Instead of growing up with one mother, she often says she grew up with “several mothers.” Her aunts became caregivers, her grandparents became constant pillars of support, and together they created a home where she always felt protected despite the challenges around her.

They’re all a big part of who I am

Sentinaro Shiu

Losing both her grandparents taught her one of the biggest lessons: life is precious and unpredictable. It made her realise how important it is to cherish small moments and never take the people she loves for granted. Years later, when her mother became a teacher, life slowly found stability. Looking back, Sentinaro credits every member of her family for shaping the person she is today.

Choosing Psychology

Although her higher secondary school did not offer psychology as a subject, Sentinaro remained determined. She enrolled in an honours programme in psychology in Nagaland, where supportive teachers nurtured her growing interest in mental health.

University life also revealed another side of her personality. Despite never seeing herself as someone who campaigned for leadership positions, she was elected Assistant General Secretary. The experience surprised her. Working within an organised system, collaborating with others and taking responsibility showed her that leadership did not always require being the loudest voice in the room. It also taught her that quiet people can lead effectively.

After completing her bachelor’s degree, Sentinaro moved to Bengaluru for a Master’s in Counselling Psychology at St. Joseph’s University. The transition was anything but easy. The first year focused heavily on theory. The second demanded something much harder: applying the knowledge to real people with real struggles.

There were moments when the pressure became overwhelming. She questioned whether she could continue. She missed home and wondered if she had chosen a path that was simply too difficult. “There were times I wanted to go back,” she admits.

There were times I wanted to go back

Sentinaro Shiu

But resilience carried her through. She completed her dissertation and finished the programme. Looking back, she remembers it as the toughest phase of her education; but it was also the one that made her strongest. And today, she looks back on those difficult years with pride rather than regret.

Learning from Young Minds

Her first professional role was as a school counsellor, working primarily with students from Classes 6 to 12. The experience confirmed that she had chosen the right profession.

She observed that many girls found it easier to express their emotions openly, while boys often needed more time before they felt comfortable talking. Building trust with them required patience, consistency and genuine care. But when they finally opened up, the conversations became deeply rewarding.

Some students later returned simply to tell her that they had felt safe talking to her. These moments reinforced something she had begun to understand years earlier in school: that being heard can change a person’s life. Knowing she could create a space where young people felt accepted became one of the most fulfilling aspects of her work.

As part of her master’s programme, Sentinaro also studied workplace counselling, organisational behaviour, human resource practices and people management. These skills eventually led her into the corporate sector. She worked with talented colleagues and gained valuable professional experience.

Yet something felt missing. Although the work was meaningful in its own way, it did not align with her personal values. She struggled to imagine herself continuing in that environment for years. Instead of settling, she chose to search for work that reflected her deeper purpose.