Ray of Hope is raising $2,500 ($500 x 5 months) to help Rosnah with her family’s grocery expenses. The financial assistance will give Rosnah some respite from her financial burdens as she perseveres with her caregiving journey.

Rosnah, 51, is the sole caregiver of her 81 year-old, widowed mother. Her mother is anaemic and suffers from chronic venous insufficiency. The venous ulcers on her right leg need to be dressed with fresh bandages twice a week. Mobility is a challenge: the senior needs a walking frame to move around and is entirely dependent on Rosnah for her activities of daily living.

Rosnah herself suffers from Crohn’s Disease, diabetes, hypertension, anaemia and back pain. For 19 years, Rosnah was working as a Product Support Executive in the telecommunications sector, earning a gross salary of approximately $2,900. She quit her full-time job to care for her mother in 2015. Since then, Rosnah has worked part-time as a Library Officer. She cannot work longer hours because of her mother’s frequent hospital visits, and only earns about $400 a month.

The family receives monthly financial assistance from the Social Service Office (SSO) and her mother receives a quarterly payout from the Silver Support Scheme. Nevertheless, there are still out-of-pocket expenses, such as transport and diapers for her mother, which add up.

As the only child, Rosnah prioritises her mother’s care and remains a dedicated caregiver who gives her best. Being alone on this caregiving journey makes it challenging for Rosnah to seek full-time employment.

*Rosnah is receiving social assistance.