Let’s Give Lucy and Maria A Better Tomorrow!

Dear Friends,

Lucy, my domestic helper from Indonesia, is undergoing some personal and financial difficulties, mainly brought up by the piling up of her family medical expenses. She has worked with my family for about 9 years and I feel that I have a personal responsibility for seeing her through hard times.

The Genesis of Lucy's Misfortunes

Lucy hails from Indonesia. She is the family's sole breadwinner. In 2015 her mother suffered a severe stroke. Since Lucy's little savings were not enough, I chipped in to settling much of the bills; hospitalization, operation, physiotherapy, and drugs among other expenses to help her recover.

Lucy's father is elderly in his 60s and has been hospitalized a couple of times, incurring heavy medical bills along the way.

Lucy has 2 children under her care. The eldest, Amy, being 13 and a younger girl aged 10 (her niece - Maria). They have discontinued their education due to her financial situation. Amy, her eldest daughter, is asthmatic and requires regular medical checkups and drugs, depending on the severity of the condition.

In May/June 2016 Lucy requested home leave to go back to Indonesia as she was concerned about her family. During her leave, she fractured her leg due to a motorcycle accident, but could not afford the operation the doctors had recommended as most of her savings had been spent to help her family with its misfortunes.

Why Am I Concerned?

Deep down in my heart I have the very best intentions to assist Lucy in all her turmoil. She has been the pillar of strength for my family during our difficult times. When my mother-in-law was diagnosed with dementia and bed-ridden, and later when my wife was diagnosed with cervical cancer, Lucy took good care of both my wife and mother-in-law. It would have been overwhelming if I had to do it alone. Lucy sacrificed much of her time and energy taking care of my loved ones. For this I'm deeply grateful and indebted to her.

Only recently, her sister who had been looking after her family when Lucy was here in Singapore passed on. So she has to shoulder her family's financial burden all by herself, and she cannot come back to Singapore to work with us.

Her niece, little Maria, had a "lump" on the side of her neck. The doctors in Indonesia suspected that it is likely cancer. However, Lucy has little money left to even go for a proper checkup or treatment for the poor girl. Maria constantly complains of fever and pains on her neck. Her niece's future is uncertain due to the ever mounting medical expenses. Stuck and lost in this maze she needs more than financial help which I am unable to provide since I am a senior citizen with an average income.

Latest Updates

• Faced with mounting expenses and little savings Lucy resorted to taking a loan of about S$11,000 from a local bank in Indonesia in Oct 2016 to help settle some of her family debts. As of Jan 2017, she failed to pay back S$4,200, and the bank took up the family house and belongings. Even after seeking assistance and appeals through the media and charitable organizations to highlight her plight, none of them were ready to help.
• Amy, her asthmatic daughter has to sleep on the cold hard floor and hence severing her condition.
• Her sister, who passed on due to diabetes, left behind a child, Maria, their father and mother who look up to Lucy. All of them have deteriorating health condition. Lucy is fearful that none of them will survive as they have exhausted all her finances.
• The two children have stopped their education due to financial circumstances.
• As of 19th Jan 2017, Lucy confirmed to me that she got a job, paying her only S$2.00 a day. She rents a room for her family, costing S$100 per month. Even when broken down, her monthly income is even less and cannot buy her meals and meet any extra expenses. Despite this she went a step further to sell off her only possession, a bicycle, to supplement her monthly income.

Despite all these challenges, I aim to raise S$15,000 to assist the family. The funds collected will be given to Lucy & her family for the following:-

• Little Maria needs an urgent medical care for her suspected cancer. The quicker we raise the money, the better are her chances of treatment.
• Lucy's mother needs some finances for her regular medical checkups and medication for her stroke.
• Lucy, on the other hand, needs a proper treatment for her fractured leg. Surgery will be for her.
• Her house is under the bank's management. Getting her a home she calls her own will boost her family's living conditions.

It is my humble appeal to you who has read this heart-touching story, to show your love, support and generosity to Lucy and her family. Whether big or small, your precious contribution means the WORLD to them. You can also show your love and support by sharing this article with your friends, family or colleagues, who may be in a position to help.

I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your support, contributions and prayers.

You may also contribute or donate through a bank-to bank account transfer or use your credit/debit card to transfer funds to the following account:-

DBS Bank - CURRENT ACCOUNT

ACCOUNT NO. (for Singapore) - 120-0284494-5

All collection/donation will be given to Lucy and Maria. We thank you once again for your generosity and love.