A Working Family Managing Daily Needs

Mr and Mrs Chang are a Singaporean couple raising a large family with schoolgoing children. Mr Chang works as a private hire driver, often spending long days on the road just to take home about $400 to $500 each month, after covering vehicle rental, petrol, and related costs. He is also the one who sends his children to school, and ensures his wife gets to work safely, keeping the family moving each day.

Mrs Chang works in a frontline role in the private sector and earns around $3,600 monthly. Together, they have been able to support their large household, though they rely on extended family for help with childcare, meals, and supplementing the children’s daily expenses. Their finances have been tight but manageable with careful planning and with their extended family chipping in to help. 

“I feel very fortunate that the kids are very understanding,” Mrs Chang shares.

A Sudden Medical Emergency and Its Impact

In early March 2026, Mr Chang began experiencing severe shortness of breath and was admitted to a public hospital on 22nd March 2026, where he was diagnosed with heart failure. His heart function was assessed at 25 percent. Due to long waiting times for follow-up care in the public system (regardless of whether he went through the subsidized or private routes), the family sought a second opinion in the private sector, where urgent surgery was recommended due to his critical situation.

Mr Chang underwent heart bypass surgery on 30 March 2026 and was discharged on 4th of April with instructions to rest for six to eight weeks. Around the same time, his wife delivered their youngest child and is currently on maternity leave.

The total cost of Mr Chang’s treatment was about $110,000. Insurance and Medisave did not fully cover the expenses, and the family paid a $32,000 deposit using credit card loans. They currently have an outstanding balance of $1,150.28.

With Mr Chang unable to work during recovery, his income has completely stopped while still needing to cover ongoing costs such as his vehicle rental of around $3,700 per month, daily household expenses, and loan repayments. Their savings are almost fully depleted, and they have little-to-no buffers against oncoming monetary obligations.

Pictured: A recovering Mr Chang with most of his family and his newborn child.

How Support Will Help Stabilise the Family

This campaign aims to help the Chang family manage immediate financial needs during Mr Chang’s recovery period. Funds raised will go towards clearing the remaining hospital bill, and offsetting the temporary loss of income for the family. 

Ray of Hope is hoping to raise $21,150.00, of which $1,150.28 will go towards the outstanding hospital fees, and a monthly $5,000 to cover the loss of income for four months.

Your kindness and support will help Mr Chang to focus on completing his recovery before returning to work, while Mrs Chang focuses on caring for their newborn and managing the household, supporting both parents in alleviating their stress over the situation. It will also help the family keep up with essential expenses without taking on additional debt.

If the campaign is successful, the family will be able to stabilise their situation in the short term and return to their usual routine once Mr Chang resumes work.

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