What happened to Aunty Selvi?

60-year-old Aunty Selvi was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer in 2018. Since then, she has undergone surgery and completed 3 cycles of chemotherapy. Apart from cancer, Aunty Selvi also has diabetes, diabetic foot ulcer and a history of pneumonia that leads to difficulty walking, showering and toileting on her own. These health issues have resulted in difficulty taking care of her Activities for Daily Living (ADLs), limiting her ability to stay independent. Currently, she uses a walking stick to move around the house, and uses a wheelchair when going out. 

Due to her cancer treatment, Aunty Selvi was advised by her doctor to only eat freshly cooked meals. However, due to her mobility difficulties, Aunty Selvi has not been able to access parts of her apartment for a long time. The most affected area is the kitchen, which has fallen into disrepair and is no longer functional after prolonged neglect. While Aunty Selvi now has a live-in helper to help her with her daily functioning, her helper is unable to cook meals for her in the kitchen’s current state. 

Additionally, Aunty Selvi has been depending on rental income of $700 a month to finance her needs and helper fee as she is unable to work. With notice from her long-time tenant that they will be moving out, Aunty Selvi is deeply distressed about her livelihood.

How can your donations make a difference?

In its current condition, the kitchen cannot be used to cooked meals. This necessitates store bought meals, which frequently do not meet her nutritional needs. They also greatly increase her expenses and add to her growing stress in the face of losing income from her long-time tenant.

Ray of Hope is fundraising $8,239 to cover the cost of kitchen renovations ($6,139) and three months of lost income ($700 x 3 months). 

The breakdown of renovation cost ($6,139) is as follows:

1. Dismantling of top and bottom kitchen cabinets ($400)
2. Plastering of uneven surfaces and painting of kitchen ceiling and walls ($400)
3. Designing and installation of 4.7m bottom kitchen cabinet ($2,480)
4. Installation of 4.7m quartz kitchen work top ($1,920)
5. Supply and installation of 2-burner gas stove ($499)
6. Fixing water tap leakage through applying silicon ($200)
7. Designing and installation of 2 casement doors under the kitchen sink ($240)

Your donations will allow the safe use of Aunty Selvi’s kitchen area for regular food preparation in support of her medical needs and help sustain her daily living expenses from July to September while she looks for a new tenant and applies for long-term financial assistance from local social service agencies. 

*Payment of the $6,139 renovation cost will be made directly to the contractor

Find out more about Aunty Selvi:

Aunty Selvi lived with her husband until he passed on in January 2023 due to cardiac arrest.  For 22 years, her husband worked tirelessly as a cleaner to support them. When he developed severe heart problems and diabetes complications, resulting in the amputation of both legs, Aunty Selvi devoted herself to being his caregiver for nine years.

With no children to rely on, her world revolved around caring for her husband. His passing left her grief-stricken and unsure of her purpose. Despite these challenges, Aunty Selvi faces each day with strength and a positive outlook on life.