Background

Mdm Masturah*, 38 years old, is a resilient and strong single mother to 3 children between the ages of 5 – 7 years old. She fled her marital home with her children at the end of August 2018. Throughout her marriage with her estranged husband, he was physically abusive towards her, but he has never abused her in front of their children. He also had extra marital affairs throughout their marriage. On a night at the end of August 2018, while her estranged husband was intoxicated, he repeatedly physically assaulted Mdm Masturah in front of her children. Fearing that he would also assault their young and innocent children, Mdm Masturah fled her abusive husband with her children. She currently has Personal Protection Order (PPO) against her husband.

The Struggle

Mdm Masturah and her three children are currently staying in a 2-room rental unit with her mother who is a stroke patient, younger sister and niece. The house is cramped as there are 7 people staying in a small unit. Mdm Masturah is currently heavily in debt. Throughout her marriage to her estranged husband, he barely provided for her and their children. In order to supplement her family’s income, she started her own interior design firm. However, she was cheated by her sub-contractor and had to close her firm, leaving behind debts and losses.

Mdm Masturah is currently struggling financially to support her children. She has filed for divorce and even though her estranged husband sees their children once a month, he does not support them financially.

Mdm Masturah is a strong and resilient single mother. Even though she struggles to provide financially for her children, she ensures that they do well in school. Mdm Masturah informs me that she places a strong emphasis on education and also their character as she wants her three children to grow up to be kind and independent.

Help Needed – Give Hope

Ray of Hope would therefore like to raise S$600 (S$200 x 3 months) to defray the family’s living expenses. It has not been easy for Mdm Masturah to care for her three young children on her own so please give hope to Mdm Masturah and her children!

* Name has been changed to protect the identity of Mdm Masturah as she was a victim of spousal abuse and is under PPO.

* Mdm Masturah is currently receiving government financial assistance, however, it is up for renewal at the end of February 2019. The renewal process is anywhere between 6 weeks to 3 months and during these periods, she will have no financial assistance.