Most mornings, Mr Tan Kim Hock wakes up to a quiet home. Living alone in a one-room rental flat, he prepares his own meals, keeps up with his household chores and attends his medical appointments as best as he can. Since the passing of his co-tenant, he has been navigating daily life on his own.

When Health Changed Everything

For seven to eight years, Mr Tan worked as an ad hoc machine operator whenever work was available. Earning about $50 a day, he accepted every opportunity he could until his heart condition made it impossible to continue.

Over the past three years, he has undergone two heart bypass surgeries. Although the surgeries have helped stabilise his condition, he continues to experience breathlessness. Even walking downstairs or taking a short stroll leaves him breathless, making it difficult to carry out everyday activities, let alone return to work. He is currently medically unfit for work until September 2026.

With no employment income and rising grocery prices, even putting together simple, nutritious meals has become increasingly difficult. Mr Tan often relies on canned food and instant noodles because they are the most affordable options, despite knowing they do not provide the nutrition his body needs.

Still Looking Out for Others

Although Mr Tan now struggles with his own health, he continues to look out for those around him in whatever ways he can.

When our caseworkers visited his home, electrical works were being carried out in the block, making the flat warm and stuffy. Despite the discomfort, Mr Tan’s quiet, gentle kindness shone through. Concerned that the room might be too warm for our caseworkers, he quietly turned his small USB-charged portable fan towards them instead of himself.

That quiet generosity is also something his neighbours have come to know.

Whenever elderly residents need help reading letters or understanding messages written in English, they know they can turn to him.

“I’m happy when I can help my neighbours read letters or messages in English.”

Although he left school after Secondary Two, Mr Tan takes pride in being able to use what he knows to support others. He may not have much, but he is always willing to help in whatever way he can.

One act of kindness has stayed with Mr Tan all this while.

A neighbour who has since passed away used to bring him 5kg bags of rice after learning that he was no longer able to work. Today, Mr Tan still speaks about that generosity with gratitude.

Now, he relies mainly on occasional grocery distributions and small bags of rice from community organisations. Despite his own circumstances, he continues to appreciate every act of kindness and lives simply within his means.

A Timely Helping Hand

Mr Tan is currently receiving Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance, which is due to end in September 2026. As he is only 59 years old, he is not yet eligible for the Silver Support Scheme or CPF payouts, leaving him with limited financial resources while he remains unable to work.

He also has outstanding medical arrears of $467.65. Despite his financial difficulties, he has remained committed to attending his follow-up medical appointments and managing his heart condition.

Funds raised through this campaign will provide six months of Sheng Siong grocery vouchers from July to December 2026, along with support to clear his outstanding medical arrears.

Without continued support, Mr Tan will continue to struggle to afford nutritious food while remaining medically unfit for work.

The grocery vouchers will allow Mr Tan to purchase more nutritious food instead of relying mainly on processed meals, helping him better manage his heart condition and maintain his health. Clearing his medical arrears will also give him peace of mind to continue attending the medical appointments he needs without the added burden of unpaid bills.

For someone who has always tried to make the best of what he has and quietly help others whenever he can, your support will give Mr Tan the peace of mind to focus on his recovery, maintain his independence, and continue living with dignity.

* The campaign goal includes a payment processing fee of 1.8%