Mdm Mariya is a mother of three children aged 16-19. She has been caring for them since they were born and is a full time homemaker.

Last year, her husband left her suddenly with no warning and no maintenance. He used to give her $500-600 to take care of the household, but stopped in July 2019. He is now fighting with her for custody of their children claiming that she is not a fit mother. Mdm Mariya has sought the assistance of Legal Aid in this battle which has been postponed to August this year due to the Circuit Breaker measures that were in place.

Mdm Mariya now relies on the assistance from SSO and MUIS to get by. Her assistance with MUIS will end in June and SSO in October this year.

She hasn’t worked much and only has an N’level Certificate. She is determined to get a job to be able to support herself and her children. With the Circuit Breaker measures and her pending divorce, it has been difficult to get a job. She plans to find something full time after her divorce is final in August. She currently runs an informal home-based pastry business with a few regular customers, but it is not enough for a living.

Her eldest daughter is 19 and is waiting polytechnic admission in October for a Nursing Diploma. Though she wants to work, her father is not allowing her to do so as he is concerned that she will give her money to her mother. He other two children are in ITE and Secondary School.

Ray of Hope would like to raise $3,600 to help Mdm Mariya and her family for 6 months ($600 per month) with their living expenses. This will help Mdm Mariya tide over this difficult time and find a job once her divorce is finalised in August.