What happened to the Paneer family?

57 year-old Mr. Paneer, a hardworking father and devoted husband, was struck by a life-changing health crisis. Battling diabetes, he underwent a series of surgeries, including a below-knee amputation. 

On October 17 2023, while Mr Paneer was home alone,  a fire broke out at their home, engulfing their home in flames. His wife and daughter were confronted with a scene of destruction when they returned home from the temple. The fire had not only destroyed their possessions but also Mr. Paneer’s new prosthetic leg, a lifeline in his journey to recovery.

In the midst of their ordeal, the family received support from their community, including temporary shelter provided by the Housing Development Board and assistance from local organizations and neighbors.

Yet, the journey to rebuild their lives is far from over. Despite community support, the family faces ongoing challenges in rebuilding their lives. Essential renovations remain incomplete, hindering their ability to reclaim a sense of normalcy.

How can you help?

The family currently struggles with rebuilding their lives, with essential renovations remaining incomplete due to financial constraints. While their housing insurance covers a portion of the renovation costs ($48,173.50 out of $97,361.08), they still require additional funds to complete the restoration of their home.

Mr. Paneer’s daughter has shared that renovations have begun but remain unfinished. With financial contributions, the family hopes to raise the remaining $49,187.50* (inclusive of 9% GST) needed to complete the renovations.

Renovation costs* are high due to the severe extent of the fire damage. The destroyed flooring and fixtures require a complete overhaul, inclusive of pipes and wet works that could not be salvaged.

*Payment will be made directly to the contractor. For full details of works to be completed, please contact Ray of Hope directly.

Find out more / Appeal from Paneer family:

In the wake of the fire, Mr. Paneer has returned to part-time work in the kitchen, while his wife, Mdm Kavitha, is seeking to re-enter the workforce after resigning from her job to care for him. Their daughter, aged 26 and employed as a nurse, is currently the primary breadwinner for the family.

The family is facing significant distress due to the financial burden of the renovations, which far exceeds their means. They have taken loans from both banks and relatives to cover expenses such as replacing Mr. Paneer’s prosthetics and making the initial payments to the contractor for renovations to commence. Mr. Paneer expressed, “We lost our home overnight. We are thankful to everyone who reached out to help us in some way or another.”

In a heartbreaking moment, their world was turned upside down, as the fire destroyed nearly everything they had worked hard to build over the years. Now, living in temporary accommodations and feeling uncertain about the future, the family is preparing to confront the daunting task of rebuilding their lives from the ground up.

Your support can make a difference in helping the Paneer family rebuild their home and regain stability. Donations will fund crucial renovations, ensuring that the family can once again find security and stability.