Five generations have lived in Singapore.

But without a pink IC, Taiba and her children continue to face a future filled with uncertainty.

Taiba, 39, came to Singapore when she was just eight years old. Her great-grandfather and grandfather were Singaporeans. Her father was also raised here. Now, Taiba’s four children are the fifth generation to grow up in Singapore. And yet, they are not recognised as citizens.

Despite growing up, living, working, and volunteering in Singapore, the family continues to pay the price of not being recognised as Singaporeans—facing high school fees, limited job options, and exclusion from financial assistance schemes.

Ineligible for Government Support

Taiba lives in a multi-generational household with her father (66, PR), brother Imran (22, PR), husband (42, PR), a foreign domestic worker, and their four children:

• – Imran (18, PR),
• – Safia (17, PR),
• – Irfana (13, LTVP holder), and
• – Mydin (8, on Student Pass).

With no one in the household holding Singapore citizenship, they are ineligible for most government aid, despite having grown up here and contributing to the community.

A Constant Struggle to Make Ends Meet

Taiba’s struggle began in 2018, when her daughter Irfana started primary school. Unlike her siblings, Irfana holds a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP), which meant her school fees soared to nearly $900 a month—almost ten times what citizens pay. To cope, the family began delaying utility payments, prioritizing education above all else.

Since then, life has only become more difficult. With multiple children in school and rising living costs, the family’s limited income cannot keep up. Financial aid is hard to access, and every month feels like a battle to stay afloat.

To cope, the family began skipping payments for utilities unless the situation became urgent. Since then, rising living costs and multiple children in school have only deepened their challenges. Despite their efforts, the household income remains insufficient, and financial assistance is limited.

Last year, Ray of Hope supported the family to keep Mydin and Irfana in school and help Safia enrol in ITE. But the burden hasn’t eased. Mydin’s primary school fees are now close to $1,000 a month. Irfana’s secondary education costs have doubled to $2,000. The fees mount quickly, pushing the family into arrears and deepening their stress.

Safia, determined to become a teacher, is currently waiting to begin ITE. Her older brother Imran has completed his Aerospace Machining course, but cannot move on to Higher NITEC, he owes over $10,000 in school fees. Now serving National Service, he hopes citizenship will open the door to education again. If not, he plans to sign on with the army to improve his chances of reapplying.

Today, the family faces:

• – Over $8,000 in unpaid household bills,
• – Utility termination in April
• – Discontinuation of mobile services due to unpaid fees.

Taiba is doing her best. She has repaid an earlier loan taken to cover Irfana’s school fees, and is now working toward clearing another $9,000 bank loan within the year. She is actively looking for a second job and continues to apply for citizenship, each time with hope, only to face rejection.

“It is painful when we are not officially Singaporean. We speak and breathe the language. I speak English, Malay, Tamil and a bit of Mandarin. My children speak English, Malay and Tamil—yet we don’t have a pink IC.

Doing Their Part

Taiba isn’t just trying to survive—she’s working to grow. In 2023, she obtained a Certificate of Employment Intermediaries with MOM, an online Diploma in Human Resources, and a Class 3A driver’s license, hoping to do food delivery. But due to her citizenship status, she was unable to secure a job. 

Her daughters are following in her footsteps. Safia and Irfana are both active volunteers in their local community. Irfana even tutors younger children twice a week—wanting to give back because, in her words:

“I have good memories of my experience in Primary School when I received help from the school volunteers and teachers. [I’d love to] pay it forward!”

Why Your Help is Needed Now

The family is running on a monthly deficit of over $1,000, even with some help from community agencies for ongoing school fees. They are surviving by sacrificing food, connection, and stability.

Ray of Hope is raising $7,188 to support six months of the family’s essential needs:

• – Groceries and household sundries: $800/month
• – Children’s transport and pocket money: $320/month
• – Family mobile bills: $78/month

With your help, Taiba can focus on clearing her urgent bills, continuing her upskilling, and building a better future for her children—without sacrificing their basic needs.

“Donations would help me feel lighter, and have less stress,” Taiba shared. “I will be able to concentrate more on bonding with my children instead of finding a second job.”

A Personal Message from Taiba

“Thank you for your support. After I officially become a Singaporean, I want to support more people like me. Many in my family struggle to pay school fees—maybe I can sponsor one of them. My niece, who is a PR, had to stop her education at Primary 3.”

“We officially want to be Singaporean. To live a normal life here. A life that is peaceful—with affordable school fees, where we can earn enough to pay our bills on time.”

Please consider supporting this family who is doing everything they can to belong—to survive and to give back. Together, we can give them the breathing room they need to keep going.