Ray of Hope is raising $3,220 ($644 x 5 months) to help Mdm Suliawati with her children’s schooling expenses. Your donations will greatly help a family struggling to get by!

Mdm Suliawati, 37, has five children. She is pregnant and her estimated date of delivery is in mid-2022. She lives in a two-room rental flat with her husband, Mr Rudi and three children aged 17, 11 and 2. Mdm Suliawati is an active volunteer and distributes meals to families in her block as a way to give back to the community.

The family relies solely on Mr Rudi’s income to get by. He earns around $900 a month as a food delivery rider and also takes on ad-hoc repair jobs whenever he can.

Mdm Suliawati sells products through live streaming. She previously earned around $150 a month, but her caregiving duties and pregnancy have led to a drop in sales.

4 out of 7 family members struggle with medical issues.

According to Mdm Suliawati, Mr Rudi has been scheduled for surgery in April to remove lipomas on his back.

Mdm Suliawati’s 21 year-old daughter has suffered from hearing loss in one ear, since birth.  She has also been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety disorder and social phobia. Her high usage of shampoo, body wash and hand sanitiser adds to the family’s monthly expenses as she is also being supported by Mdm Suliawati. She is currently in ITE Year 2.

Her 17 year-old son is in ITE Year 1.

Her 15 year-old daughter was sexually abused by her ex-stepfather in 2018 and has been seeing a psychiatrist. She is currently in Secondary 2.

Her 21 and 15 year-old daughters are looked after by Mdm Suliawati’s 61 year-old mother who suffers from depression.

Mdm Suliawati’s 11 year-old is in Primary 5 and will undergo further assessments for suspected autism.

Hopes for the family’s future.

Convinced that education is the only way out of poverty, the couple tries their best to keep the children in school despite their financial constraints. The family also aspires to own their own home. As the children grow up and need more space and privacy, Mdm Suliawati and Mr Rudi hope to purchase a 4-room flat when they are financially stable.

*Mdm Suliawati is receiving social assistance.