Help Mdm Rahima and her family

Mdm Rahima, 58, who stays with her husband, 71, in a 2-room rental flat in Sengkang, with her youngest son, 23. The appliances and furnitures at home are basically donated items.

She has 4 children.

The eldest son is 37. He was in and out of prison for 3 times, struggling with divorce with his wife, having difficulty finding a job because of his ex-convict status. Unable to provide for the family, and Mdm Rahima is fortunate enough that he is not already bringing more burden on the family. Does not stay together.

The eldest daughter, Nashryda, 33, suffers from epilepsy, stays in Metta Home for the Disabled for the last 14 years. She is recently suspected to have breast cancer, and would be going through another check soon. (Photo attached)

The third son is 33, has his own family, wife is pregnant and expecting. Salary range according to my online check, probably ard $2k only. Mdm Rahima did not want to burden him as she feels that he would have a lot of expenses when the child comes.

The last son is 23, just out of NS. He graduated from Higher NITEC. His wish is to continue further studies to get a diploma, but situation at home forces him to look for a job to help sustain the family. He is still looking for one.

Pak is suffering from a slipped disc, and could not work due to his age and physical condition.

Mdm Rahima, although also having physical ailments, now works as a school bus attendant, to help make ends meet. She cannot take on long-hour jobs as she have to constantly check on her husband, who is very prone to injury because of his condition. She makes only about $240 a month for the job.

Mdm Rahima broke down and cried while she was telling me her story. The stress of the family is on her. There were instances when she felt like committing suicide (once she actually swallowed pills, and ended up 1 and a half months in hospital). She gave up medication and therapy because they could not afford it. She seeked MP help, SSO, CDCs, MUIS, but the red tapes and beauracracy is making it difficult for her to get the aids.

- Their monthly expenses (rental, utilities, daughter's medication and stay, groceries, transport, bills) comes to about $1300; currently her husband is drawing about $550 a month (from CPF, fortunately) and her job pays her $240. That leaves her a $500 gap to fill on a monthly basis.

- She has outstanding rental of $276 (two months rental to HDB), medical bills of about $400 (Koo Teck Phuat Hospital), and a personal loan from her ex-boss of $1500.

- Donations to help medication for themselves and the daughter, especially if later diagnosed with cancer (hopefully not).

Thank you all for reading; thank you more for helping to share; and may God continue to bless all of us.