“I think so long before I reach out to Ray of Hope again. I scared people think I don’t want to work hard and find money. But I’m really trying. Just that things don’t always go the way I plan.”

At the start of 2024, Zixuan finally saw a bit of light. After months of juggling parcel deliveries while looking after her two young kids, she was excited to start childminding. It felt steadier, and a little easier on her body.

By December, she cut back on delivery work to focus on two new assignments, which would have brought in around $1,000 a month. But just before she could settle into the new routine, one of the jobs fell through.

Suddenly, she was left with half the income and no time to pivot. The bills didn’t stop. Her kids still needed her. And once again, she found herself scrambling.

She Tried to Hold On Without Help

Zixuan first reached out to us in October 2024, when she was already doing everything she could to keep things going on her own. Thanks to the support from donors, she was able to tide through and build back a bit of stability.

But when things took another turn, she hesitated to ask for help again. She waited over a month, hoping, trying, and pushing herself before finally reaching out.

“My elderly neighbour asked if she can pay me to help clean her house. I told her, no need lah. She’s old, she needs it more than me.” She’s someone who gives, even when she has little herself. But when it comes to asking for help, she hesitates.

The Roadblocks That Keep Her Stuck

Zixuan wants to apply for formal financial aid, but every route leads her back to a dead end.

Agencies require documents that include her ex-partner’s details, but she has no contact with him. Without those, she can’t apply for most of the support she and her children are eligible for.

She also tried going through legal aid to file for divorce. But because her ex-partner is uncontactable, she has to wait until their third year of marriage before she can file on her own. That means seven more months before she can officially apply for help as a single mum.

Seven more months of waiting. Of trying. Of surviving on grit alone.

A Typical Day in Her Life
Zixuan’s days are packed from morning to night. Here’s what her daily schedule looks like:

• 5:30 AM: Brings her younger son out to pick up the child she minds by 6 AM
• 6–7 AM: Cares for the child until childcare opens, sends child to childcare, then brings her son home for breakfast and a shower
• 8 AM: Sends her son to childcare, then starts parcel deliveries
• 12–2 PM: Prepares dinner, sometimes rests for a short while
• 5–8 PM: Picks up her children and the ones she minds, making multiple stops before reaching home

Every day is a race. And even with all this effort, stability still feels just slightly out of reach.

How You Can Help

Ray of Hope is raising $3,150 ($450/month for 7 months), to give Zixuan the breathing space she needs. This support will help her stabilise her income through childminding, without overextending herself.

It will also allow her to manage legal matters and prepare for the next big step: finalising her divorce so she can finally access the help she qualifies for.

“I want to stand on my own. But sometimes I need a bit of time to steady first.”

Zixuan isn’t asking for much. Just enough to catch her breath, to catch up, and to carry on. With a little help now, she won’t have to walk this path alone. You can give her the time and space she needs to stand on her own two feet, for good.