Holding on Through Family Crisis

For 41-year-old Dalia, life has been one long stretch of trying to hold things together for her parents, her children, and herself. She is currently in the midst of filing for divorce from her second husband after completing marriage counselling.

From her first marriage, Dalia has four children aged 13 to 19, who live with her. Her five younger children from her second marriage, aged 5 to 11, have been under her parents’ care for the past two years as mandated by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) Child Protective Service (CPS). CPS became involved when the younger children stopped attending school. The case was later transferred to another agency, which continues to oversee the children’s well-being.

Balancing Care and Survival

Dalia spends her days shuttling between her parents’ home and her own, helping them care for the younger children. Both parents are elderly and unwell. Her father suffers from congenital heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, while her mother has a fractured hip and struggles to walk.

Her parents use their limited retirement funds and Silver Support payouts to house and care for the younger children. Dalia wants to take over this responsibility but is not yet ready, as she is still under CPS supervision.

Financial Strain and Unpaid Bills

The family’s financial situation has reached a breaking point. The only steady income comes from her eldest son, who is serving National Service, earning between $1,200 to $1,400 a month. His pay goes toward the daily needs of two households: groceries, school fees for his younger siblings, and essentials for his grandparents.

To supplement what she can, Dalia works as a Deliveroo delivery walker, earning a few hundred a month, though the income is irregular. She previously worked with Shopee until last October but had to stop after her ex-husband faced multiple theft charges, leaving the family in further instability.

Although MUIS provides a $200 grocery voucher for her eldest son each month, which he passes to Dalia, it is barely enough to cover food and essentials for the family. She also receives food rations from Care Corner FSC, but there has been no active SSO support for the past two years.

A Mother and Daughter Doing Her Best

Despite the weight she carries, Dalia continues to take responsibility for her family’s needs. She tries to stay positive for her children, even as she navigates complex challenges. From supporting her parents’ care to managing her children’s schooling and emotional recovery.

Her third child, in particular, has gone through years of trauma. The counsellor who has been supporting the child discovered that she went through a deeply distressing experience and is now under counselling and protection. Dalia remains focused on helping her heal and regain a sense of safety. Her daughter still struggles with the after-effects of trauma, including anxiety and suicidal thoughts triggered by bullying in school, though she is slowly recovering through counselling.

Why Support is Urgently Needed

Dalia’s debts and arrears have become impossible to manage. The stress of unpaid bills adds to her mental load as she tries to be present for her children and ageing parents. With help, she can focus on stabilising her home life and preparing to reunite all nine of her children under one safe roof.

Ray of Hope is raising $6,602.20 to help Dalia clear her arrears and manage three months of essential expenses while she continues rebuilding her family’s stability: 

Arrears (Total: $3,944.50)

• HDB arrears for 8 months: $400
• SP Services: $2,944.50
• WiFi: $600

Monthly needs (3 months x $885.90)

• Utilities 
• Transport
• Bills 
• Groceries
• Student Care

Her Hope for the Future

Dalia wants to rebuild her life one step at a time. To be financially stable, to have all her children back under her care, and to give them a home where they feel safe and loved.

She shared that she often feels “lost and useless”, unsure of where to begin, but determined to start somewhere. With your help, she can begin clearing her arrears, regain stability, and take the first steps toward healing and rebuilding her family.

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