When we met Washim at the dormitory canteen, he was being gently wheeled in by a friend. He had no steady income, no compensation yet, and an uncertain road ahead.

“Hi Brother Washim, are you fasting today?” we asked. He gave a small smile and looked down.

“I don’t know yet,” he said quietly. “Last time, I fast every day. Even under the hot sun. But now… I don’t know.”

Washim once ran a small business in Bangladesh, supplying raw materials. But when COVID-19 hit, the business struggled. With prospects dwindling, he made the difficult decision to leave home and see work in Singapore. He had hoped that he could secure a better future for his family.

From Construction Site to Crisis:
Washim had only worked for a year, before everything changed on 15 June 2024.

That day, there weren’t enough trained workers to operate the forklift. Washim and a colleague were instructed to manually carry 30kg rebar metal poles without proper equipment or a safety supervisor present. As he lifted one of the poles, Washim lost his balance and fell, his back slamming hard against the ground. The pain was immediate and intense.

Dismissed and Denied Medical Care:
At the company clinic, he was issued only a 2-day MC.

But by the end of his MC, the pain had worsened. When Washim asked his safety supervisor for permission to go to the hospital he was told: “You already got 2-day MC, can come back work. If you go hospital, you pay”

Unable to bear it any longer, Washim paid for a taxi out of his own pocket and brought himself to the hospital.

Emergency Surgery, 101 Days Alone in Recovery

At the hospital, doctors found that Washim had suffered a severe spinal injury. Emergency surgery was needed immediately.

Without it, he risked permanent paralysis.

Fortunately, the surgery was successful, and while he regained some movement, the damage was done. Washim spent 101 days hospitalised learning how to sit, stand and walk again.

During this time, no one for his company visited or called. With no mobile data, he had no way to contact his family back home.

The Long Road Ahead:
Today, Washim relies on a wheelchair, though he is slowly learning to walk again with crutches. He has filed for a workplace injury claim under WICA, but the outcome is uncertain. His case may take over a year to conclude, and there is a real risk that his injury may not be recognised as a workplace accident. This may leave Washim with no compensation at all.

In the meantime. Washim has no income, and no way to provide for himself or his family.

How You Can Help:
Ray of Hope is raising $2400 ($300/month) to support Washim for the next 8 months to help cover:
– Meals
– Transport for medical appointments/visits
– Essential neccessities

Washim dreams of returning to Bangladesh someday and restarting his small business. But right now, he needs us. He needs a community to stand behind him.

Your donation can provide Washim with the dignity of daily sustenance and the support he needs during this period. Will you help him today?