He Came to Build a Future. Now He’s Trapped in Uncertainty

For five years, Santosh worked tirelessly in Singapore’s construction industry, helping to build the very foundations of this city, including its courts. He left his wife and two young daughters behind, carrying with him a simple hope: to work, earn, and return home with savings.

But life had other plans.

A Step Forward, A Step Back

In early 2023, there was an opportunity to do an upskill course in welding that promised better pay. The $100 fee was steep for him, but he took the chance. More income meant a more secure future for his daughters.

Then, everything fell apart.

Just months later, in May 2023, Santosh suffered a workplace injury that required seven months of medical leave. While still recovering, he was placed on a Special Pass – caught in the middle of an investigation linked to the very course he had paid for.

Stuck in Limbo, With No End in Sight

Since December 2023, when his medical leave expired, Santosh has been stuck. His Special Pass must be renewed every two weeks, leaving him in a cruel cycle of waiting. Unable to work, unable to leave, and unable to provide for his family.

Every day, he wakes up with the same question: “When finish? When finish?”

Then, in January 2025, another blow. His The Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) compensation case was converted into a civil case, meaning it can only be resolved after he leaves Singapore. The bitter irony? The man who helped build Singapore’s courts is now trapped in a system with no resolution.

A Father’s Quiet Desperation

Each time his phone rings, it’s his wife or daughters—their voices filled with hope, expecting good news.

“What do I say to my family when they call and ask for money?” he asks, his voice heavy with worry.

How We Can Help

Ray of Hope is raising $1800 ($300/month for 6 months) to help Santosh cover his basic living expenses.

This will ensure that, while he waits for the system to run its course, he doesn’t have to rely on others for survival. It’s a small ask. But one that will mean dignity, stability, and hope for a father caught in an impossible situation.

To those who choose to stand with him, he has just one thing to say: “Thank you.”