The Struggle 

Building a home from scratch is often challenging as it is more than having just a roof over your heads, especially so when one’s spouse is ill and the family has a young child to feed every day.

Madam Nguyen, 43 years old, lives in a poorly furnished two-room rental flat with her family of 3. No matter how little they might have financially, the close-knitted family never complained about how their lives were a constant uphill struggle when Madam Nguyen’s husband, 60-year-old Mr Yap was diagnosed with dementia about 3 years ago. The couple has a 2-year-old daughter.

With her husband being medically unfit for employment, Madam Nguyen is constantly put under tremendous stress being the sole breadwinner of the family.

Help Needed – Give Hope

The 43-year-old has recently started work as a housekeeper in a hotel less than a month ago and has yet to receive her first pay check. Madam Nguyen holds a Long-Term Visit Pass, hence she is able to seek employment. During the interview, Madam Nguyen recalled many instances that her husband went missing and could not find his way home while she was at work. Through our conversations with Madam Nguyen, the case workers could sense how helpless she feels to be shouldered with the responsibility of being the main caregiver of her husband and their 2-year-old daughter as well as to ensure that her family has food to eat every day. Their daughter is currently attending pre-school and her school fees are fully subsidized in view of the family’s financial situation.

The resilient mum is working hard to put food on the table for her family and has been scrimping on every cent from their past savings as their savings are depleting soon.

When the case workers visited the family at their home, they could not help but notice how the house was lacking in every sense, from having a washing machine and fridge that have broken down, to being poorly-ventilated and to having just a few packs of dry food items on the table. Madam Ngyuen told us that caregiving duties are wearing her out, but she is journeying on simply out of love for her family.

Financial Breakdown

As Madam Nguyen only started work less than a month ago, she has yet to receive her first pay, estimated to be S$1,300. The family’s SSO assistance of $850 might have been approved, but it is due to start only in June.

Ray of Hope would like to raise $1,340 for the family so that they can have a comfortable home to live in.

–       Washing machine $400*

–       Fridge $400*

–       Diapers $300 ($100 x 3 months)

–       Milk powder $240 ($80 x 3 months)

*The costs of the washing machine and fridge are based on an estimate. Should there be further discounts, the excess funds will be channelled towards supporting the family in terms of their diapers and milk powder expenses.

**Mr Yap’s SSO assistance of $850 is approved and due to commence in June 2019.