What happened to Fina?

Fina, a mother of three school-going children, faced a sudden challenge when her caregiving responsibilities for her two grandmothers, Mdm Raya and Mdm Melur, intensified. Fina recently secured a job as a part-time student care assistant teacher. This position not only aligned well with her children’s schedules but also provided a modest increase in income compared to her previous job as a factory packer. However, before she could start her new job, Mdm Melur was hospitalized due to severe stomach flu. Despite initial hopes for a quick recovery, Mdm Melur’s condition deteriorated, leaving her in need of extensive care, including assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as toileting, bathing, and transfers.

Despite the unexpected turn of events, Fina welcomed Mdm Melur into her home after her discharge from the hospital in September 2023, alongside her other grandmother, Mdm Raya, whom she had been caring for since April 2023.

Over the past five years, Fina has been selling her homemade baked goods to friends and family during festive seasons. However, without the required hygiene certification, she faces challenges growing her business beyond her immediate network. Now, as she navigates the complexities of caregiving and household finances, Fina sees an opportunity to upgrade and expand her business.

How can you support?

We are fundraising for $550 per month for 4 months to cover some of the family’s basic needs, including household and phone bills, meals, and adult diapers. As Fina hopes to scale her business, she hopes to complete her certification in Food Safety Course Level 1 which costs $88.50.

By contributing to this campaign, you can support Fina in selling her baked goods to a broader audience. This certification will not only enable her to scale up her business but also create a sustainable income stream that will alleviate the financial burden on her family.

The sacrifice of a caregiver of two elderly grandparents

Fina’s choice to prioritize her family’s well-being by resigning from her job was a difficult one. The arrival of two grandmothers to their household last year has placed a financial burden on the family. Her husband serves as the sole breadwinner, working full-time as a cleaner and earning $1,360 monthly. Sustaining seven family members on this income has proven challenging, particularly with the added caregiving duties that have emerged recently.

As Mdm Melur shows signs of dementia, her behavior becomes increasingly challenging for Fina to manage. Not only does Mdm Melur exhibit verbal and physical aggression, but she also frequently lashes out at Fina with unreasonable anger and hostility. These outbursts add to the already daunting challenges of being a caregiver, as Fina grapples with the complexities of tending to her grandmothers’ needs while balancing the responsibilities of running her household. The relentless demands of caregiving, coupled with the emotional strain of witnessing her grandmothers’ decline, weigh heavily on Fina, causing significant physical and emotional stress.

With the growing needs of her grandmothers, Fina hopes to scale up her home-based baking business (HBB) as it allows her the flexibility to care for her grandparents full-time while still generating income to support her family. Fina has fully utilized her Skillsfuture credit on business and marketing courses, demonstrating her commitment to improving her skills and expanding her entrepreneurial endeavors.