What happened to Mdm Hafsa?

35-year-old Mdm Hafsa was working as a security guard, earning approximately $1,800 a month. When Mdm Hafsa found out she was pregnant with their 2nd child in 2021, she had to end her employment to prepare for the birth of the baby. Before the birth of her 2nd child, she was the sole breadwinner of the family as her 73-year-old husband was unable to work due to his poor health. In 2019, her husband suffered a heart attack due to a coronary heart disease. The long hours and physical labour of his job as a chef took a toll on his body. Her husband subsequently left his job due to his deteriorating health. Over time, his condition has weakened his heart muscles and overall strength.

 Mdm Hafsa also suffers from an old injury resulting from a sprained ankle which was left untreated when she was younger. It was noted that with prolonged standing, her left ankle would swell painfully. After consulting a doctor recently, she was certified medically unfit for work till June 2023. The doctor has recommended for her to undergo surgery but she did not go through with it due to fear of costs and the recovery process. 

Upon moving to their current  rental home earlier this year, the family found that there were no vacancies in the child care centres within their vicinity. Hence, the two children are currently waitlisted, and Mdm Hafsa’s elder daughter faces a long daily commute to school, which is located in their previous neighbourhood. In addition, her elder daughter was diagnosed with Global Developmental Delays last year and has been attending both a SPED school and a preschool.

With the caregiving and household responsibilities on her shoulder, Mdm Hafsah has become increasingly stressed. 

How can you help?

Support Mdm Hafsa’s living expenses for 5 months ($350 x 5 months), while she nurses her injury and appeals for her children to receive places in their neighbourhood  childcare and infant care respectively.

Find out more/ Appeal for Mdm Hafsa

Mdm Hafsa is a mother of two young children aged 7 and 2. The family of four recently moved into a 2-room rental flat earlier this year. Prior to her 2nd pregnancy, she was the sole breadwinner of the family as her 73-year-old husband was unable to work due to a heart attack he suffered in 2019. Despite Mdm Hafsa’s husband receiving CPF payouts and benefits from the Silver Support Scheme, most of the amount goes towards covering her husband’s medical needs and supplements. The amount is insufficient to cover both medical and subsistence needs for the family.

After moving to their new rental flat in 2023, Mdm Hafsa was met with additional challenges in the form of a recurrent ankle injury and difficulty in child and infant care placement for her two children. These prove to be significant barriers to gaining employment at present. Nonetheless, Mdm Hafsa remains determined to return to full-time employment.

“I’m scared that one day, we might not be able to support our two young children,” shared Mdm Hafsa to our case workers.

As soon as accessible caregiving arrangements have been secured for both her children with the help of her social worker, Mdm Hafsa is determined to return to the workforce with the goal of being financially independent. 

*Mdm Hafsa’s current social assistance ends in April 2023. She will be renewing her assistance.