A quiet update from a family still holding on.

Li Qin and her husband I Hsien are parents to three children, Sky (13), Ken (11), and Aisha (5). Their family story has been one of quiet effort, inching forward despite ongoing strain.

Since 2015, the 2 older boys, Sky and Ken, have lived in a Children’s Home and foster care respectively, following a period of heightened conflict in the extended family home that raised safety concerns. At the time, the family was living with relatives, and the tense living environment eventually led to a formal separation for the children’s well-being. 

While they are expected to return home by 2028, they’re currently only allowed one-day home visits on weekends. Lately, even those visits have stopped. Ken has not returned in 3–4 months, upset by how messy the home was. Sky hasn’t been able to match schedules. When her brothers are gone, Aisha sometimes asks, “Why is korkor not coming home?”

Still trying, day by day

Ray of Hope previously supported the family in 2021 and 2024, helping them stay afloat as they navigated job losses and caregiving demands. Since then, they’ve done everything they can to improve their situation.

I Hsien, the family’s sole breadwinner, now works long hours as a food delivery rider, bringing home about $1,000 a month. He recently bought a bicycle to replace his old, damaged ones—but it isn’t equipped to carry his delivery bag, forcing him to hold it while cycling. He works rain or shine, even after slipping once when his raincoat got caught on the bike. On rainy days, his phone has malfunctioned due to water exposure, but he keeps going. 

Meanwhile, Li Qin cares for Aisha full-time and has been actively looking for part-time work that fits into her schedule. She’s explored job platforms and reached out through personal contacts, but caregiving demands and limited vacancies have made it difficult. Still, she remains hopeful. Once things have settled, she wants to explore a 9-to-5 cleaning job to help make ends meet.

When effort isn’t enough

In March 2025, Aisha had to be brought to A&E for swelling in her eye. She is now scheduled for surgery. At the same time, Li Qin has managed to keep the home environment stable, not just for Aisha’s comfort, but in hopes that Ken might come home again. She has cleaned and decluttered the house, throwing away expired food to make more space.

The family’s challenges go beyond caregiving and employment. When Sky returns for visits, Li Qin worries constantly after he leaves. Without money in his prepaid SIM card, she has no way to know if he has made it back to the Home safely.

They are not without plans. But between Aisha’s medical needs and the lack of stable income, they are now at a standstill.

Why your help is needed now

Despite their best efforts, the family’s income remains unstable and insufficient. While I Hsien’s monthly income has increased by $100/month, their monthly community financial assistance was significantly reduced by $500 this year. This makes it harder to close the gap between income and expenses. 

The drop in support was due to 2 factors. At the time of assessment:

1. The boys have not been on home-leave, which lowered the assessed household size. 
2. I Hsien’s income was higher than usual in December. 

As a result, even with I Hsien working long hours and the family limiting themselves to just two meals a day, they’re still unable to make ends meet.  Their situation is fragile, and without support, they may struggle to cover even the most basic needs.

Ray of Hope is raising $2,700 to support the family’s living expenses ($450 for 6 months). This includes:

– Groceries and sundries – $220/month

– Milk and pull-up pants for Aisha – $80/month

– Phone top-ups for the family – $50/month

– Transport fees for medical appointments – $50/month

Your donation will ensure there’s food on the table, give I Hsien a chance to improve his work setup—by modifying his bicycle and replacing his raincoat with a more suitable one, and allow Li Qin to care for Aisha during her recovery while continuing her job search. Your support will also help the family keep in touch with one another despite the physical distance. 

As Li Qin shared, “I try to think about my daughter and my two sons.” And simply: “I want to stop asking for help.”

Your gift can offer the family some breathing room, and a path toward greater stability. Please give what you can.