For Pauline, life has been an uphill climb marked by loss, love, and relentless resilience. A single mother of three, she has faced more heartbreak and hardship than most. Her journey began with a divorce in 2017 and then the passing of her ex-husband in 2018 which marked an end to financial maintenance.

Despite these setbacks, Pauline never stopped striving to create stability for her children: a 21-year-old son, a 17-year-old daughter, and a 16-year-old son who has been bravely fighting a life-threatening illness.

Once employed as a sales promoter at a major fashion retailer, Pauline lost her job when COVID-19 brought the retail industry to its knees. Since then, she has struggled to find full-time work, as her youngest son’s health needs demand her full attention. 

On top of that, she also bears the emotional weight of caring for her elderly mother after a recent surgery — all whåile managing a strained family network and the everyday realities of financial insecurity.

Torn Between Two Caregiving Worlds

Pauline’s days are filled with caregiving in two directions — for her teenage son and her aging mother. Her youngest son was diagnosed with Wilms tumor (stage 4) and has renal impairment (stage 2) in his remaining kidney. He depends entirely on her to prepare special meals that meet strict dietary requirements, and to monitor his condition daily. 

Pauline receives ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance, yet even with that, her family faces a monthly shortfall of $593 just to cover essentials.

Recently, Pauline’s mother suffered a fall that led to leg surgery on 16 October. Recovery will be slow, and she now requires constant help with mobility and basic needs. But Pauline’s mother lives alone in her own HDB flat — forcing Pauline to shuttle back and forth daily between her mother’s home and her son’s side. 

The trips cost an extra $200 in transport and another $400 in groceries each month, stretching her already fragile finances to breaking point.

Despite a history of family tension and emotional distance, Pauline feels compelled to be there for her mother. Her compassion outweighs her exhaustion, even when faced with her mother’s temper and resistance to assistance schemes like the AIC Home Caregiver Grant or CPF Eldershield claims. 

Pauline’s sense of duty, love, and guilt fuels her determination to make things right for both generations.

Holding On to Hope for Her Family

Pauline dreams of seeing her children healthy, educated, and free from worry. She hopes her mother can recover comfortably, without feeling neglected or alone. The funds raised through this campaign will serve three critical purposes:

1. Tide Pauline over during the renewal period (from 10 November 2025) of her ComCare assistance, which takes 4–6 weeks to process.
2. Support her mother’s post-surgery care until a long-term caregiving plan can be arranged.
3. Give Pauline breathing space to find part-time work compatible with her caregiving duties.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a tangible difference — keeping the lights on, the meals nutritious, and the family together through one of their hardest seasons. With your help, Pauline can focus on what matters most: being there for her loved ones, and keeping hope alive for a better tomorrow.

*This total fundraising goal for this campaign is $9,368.00. This will help with:

1. HDB rent, town council fees and utilities in arrears ($952.42)
2. Bridging the gap in living expenses for 5 months and a full month of living expenses when ComCare assistance is being renewed ($4,949.08), and
3. Transport and groceries to care for her elderly mother for 5 and a half months ($3,300.00)

*The campaign goal includes a 1.8% uplift to account for card processing fees incurred by payment providers.