Imagine not having a roof over your head – Ms Sara’s story

Ms Sara, 53 years old, was rendered homeless after she lost her job due to medical conditions in 2015. With nowhere to go and little financial savings, Ms Sara had no choice but to borrow money to stay in a backpacker’s inn. But as time passes, even the backpacker’s inn became a luxury she could no longer afford. Thankfully, Ms Sara was taken in by a shelter. Though it might get a little overcrowded at times, with as many as 6 occupants in a room, Sara was thankful that she need not fret about accommodation for the time being.

However, she knows that at the end of the day, the shelter only provides temporary housing and that she would soon have to evacuate after half a year. Thus, she decided to apply for a 2 room BTO flat with the amount she earns as a relief security officer. At the age of 53 years old, she had to endure long and irregular working hours throughout the night just to make enough to pay monthly installments for her new flat.

Ray of Hope raised $460 for her living expenses and now she finally has a place to call her own.

What is a Giving Circle?

A Giving Circle is a form of charitable giving where individuals give into a pooled fund set aside to meet the needs of a specific group of people or for a specific need.

How can you help others like Ms Sara

By donating to a Homeless Giving Circle, you will be helping the homeless tide over their difficult financial situation while they build enough savings to afford their own home.

How will the funds be utilised?

Ray of Hope will perform a detailed needs analysis to determine how the money each family will receive. Generally speaking, the donations are used for short-term financial assistance, paying HDB for a deposit for a flat, medical needs, etc.

100% of the donations will be disbursed to the beneficiaries; Ray of Hope does not take any of the donations for our overheads. All beneficiaries that we are helping have also been verified with documentation and relevant checks with government authorities, so you know that your donation is going to the right families.

Regular updates & Thank you notes to donors who are part of the Giving Circle

As a member of this Giving Circle, you will receive regular updates on who received the donation, and how the funds are being utilised. From time to time, we also receive simple messages of thanks from the beneficiaries on how you have made an impact in their lives. We will also share them with you.