Every week, Mr. Heng looks forward to seeing his daughters. They catch up over simple conversations, make sure he has what he needs, and spend time together before heading home. Family has always been at the centre of his life.

“As long as my children are doing well, I’m thankful,” he says with a smile.

Now in his later years, Mr. Heng had hoped for a quieter season of life. Instead, an unexpected interruption to his financial assistance has left him worrying about how he will cover his daily expenses while his ComCare assistance is being renewed.

A Decision Made for Family

Mr. Heng spent many years running a drinks stall at a primary school. After losing his wife in 1982, he raised their five children on his own, working hard to give them a stable home.
Many years ago, Mr. Heng faced a decision no parent ever hopes to make.

When his only son developed a gambling addiction and accumulated significant debts, Mr. Heng sold the family’s 3-room flat, believing it would give his son a chance to start afresh.

The plan did not work out as he had hoped. Without Mr. Heng’s knowledge, his son sold the replacement home and disappeared with the proceeds. Mr. Heng lost not only his home but also contact with his son, whom he has not heard from in nearly three decades.

It was a painful chapter in his life, but he chose to carry on. After staying with his second daughter’s family for several years, he was eventually able to move into a rental flat of his own. Since then, he has quietly rebuilt his life, asking for very little and living within his means.

Living Carefully Each Day

Mr. Heng is no longer able to work and now relies on the Silver Support Scheme, which provides $1,080 every quarter, together with about $100 a month contributed by his children.

Having spent much of his life providing for his family, Mr. Heng has always been careful with money. He keeps his expenses low, does not smoke or drink, and thinks carefully before every purchase. Although he has MediSave savings set aside for healthcare needs, he no longer has a regular source of income. Without that financial security, he worries about how long he can continue managing on his own.

Recently, Mr. Heng realised that his ComCare assistance had ended after he received bills for his rental and Town Council charges that had previously been covered. He found himself needing to stretch his limited income even further while waiting for his ComCare assistance to be renewed.

His children continue to care deeply for him, but they are managing health and financial challenges of their own. Knowing what they are already coping with, Mr. Heng finds it difficult to ask them for more help.

“I’ve always tried to manage on my own,” Mr. Heng says. “I don’t want to burden my children.”

Rather than ask them for more, he hopes he can get through the coming weeks until his ComCare renewal is processed.

What We’re Raising Funds For

Mr. Heng will be renewing his ComCare assistance, a process that is expected to take about three to four weeks. During this period, he is likely to face a temporary shortfall in meeting his daily living expenses.

This campaign aims to raise $407.20* to help bridge this temporary gap while his ComCare renewal is being processed. The funds will go towards:
– Daily meals and groceries
– Household necessities
– Transportation for essential appointments and errands
– Other basic day-to-day living expenses

Growing Older With Peace of Mind

Mr. Heng has spent much of his life looking after the people he loves. Even after losing his home, he quietly rebuilt his life and continued to make the best of what he had.

Today, he isn’t asking for anything beyond the basics. He simply hopes to continue living independently without placing additional pressure on his children during a time when they, too, are facing challenges.

Your support will help Mr. Heng meet his daily needs over the next few months, allowing him to continue paying for meals, household essentials and other daily expenses while he waits for his ComCare assistance to resume.

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