Background

“I can’t afford to have more than 1 child” – Mdm Intan

Mdm Intan*, 33 years old, is a mother to a 6-year-old son. She is the sole breadwinner as her husband has been unfit for work since 2009 due to a mental health disorder. Mdm Intan is a hardworking and diligent mother. She has been gainfully employed since the middle of 2016 and works as a receptionist.

The Sandwich Generation

Mdm Intan belongs to the sandwich generation where she has to look after her husband, their young son and also her parents. Between 2012 and 2013, Mdm Intan informed us that her father was hospitalised numerous times due to multiple heart attacks, diabetes and water in the lungs. Mdm Intan further informed us that during this time she was working as a co-ordinator and due to her salary, her father was ineligible for further subsidies. Her father also did not have enough Medisave as he was a retired private bus driver.

Even though Mdm Intan has siblings, she informed us that she was the only one providing for her father. Due to the piling medical bills, Mdm Intan decided to take on bank loans in order to pay for her father’s medical bills.

Her father subsequently passed away in 2013 and shortly after her father’s death, Mdm Intan suffered a heart attack. She also suffered from depression and for 3 years she was unable to work.

Give Hope – Help Needed

Mdm Intan has been working diligently as a receptionist for the past 3 years. She earns S$2,200 gross (S$1,760 nett) and her salary should be sufficient for her family. However, due to the bank loans repayment, she has trouble meeting her family’s basic needs.

Ray of Hope is fundraising S$1,500 (S$250 x 6 months) to defray Mdm Intan’s living expenses for 6 months. The funds raised will be converted to NTUC Vouchers. Please give hope to Mdm Intan as she is currently struggling with her finances.

* Name has been changed to protect Mdm Intan’s identity

* Mdm Intan is not receiving government financial assistance.