Campaign link: https://rayofhope.sg/campaign/stand-with-natasah/

Case file: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EIchMxxMVI2qqi3RIY_TkaO7iIuaMVFF 

Mdm Natahsah contacted me yesterday seeking emergency support. She appeared to be in distress due to her newborn child’s health condition. Mdm Natahsah shared that her child has not been able to sleep for extended periods at night and often wakes up crying from pain in her neck area.

Medical/physical grounds:

1. I have attached a medical memo from the attending doctor, which states that an air-conditioning unit is necessary to support the child’s recovery environment.

2. Beyond the medical need, I am also considering the family’s basic need for rest, especially given that the Mdm Natahsah‘s husband is the sole breadwinner, the couple is caring for an older child with higher needs on the Autism spectrum, and that Mdm Natahsah has a history of mental health challenges. The ongoing sleep disruptions are likely to worsen the family’s collective distress and impact their functioning.

Resources explored:

1. Mdm Natahsah shared that she has reached out to her FCS worker, who informed her that they are awaiting potential donor support for an air-conditioning unit. Based on my assessment, this source of help is non-guaranteed and unlikely to materialize in a timely manner.

2. Mdm Natahsah has also shared that she had been able to save $500 for the air-conditioning, despite their financial difficulties. Although, I assess that this savings will soon be depleted as they are trying out goat’s milk for C2, under the doctor’s recommendation, which costs more than regular milk.

3. Mdm Natahsah has also shown capability to seek resources independently, as much as possible, as she had shared with me that she wrote to her MP to seek approval for an air-conditioning to be installed in her rental unit.

In view of the urgent need, I am recommending a drawdown from the General Fund to procure an air-conditioning unit for the family.

Cost of air-conditioning: $2,219.00

Item link: https://www.gaincity.com/daikin-system-1-aircon-r32-rkm60xvmg-ftkm60xvmg-t0186876