A Son’s Sacrifice for His Family

Hoping to secure a better future for his family, Sajal came to Singapore, paying $8,000 in agent fees to start work on May 1, 2023. As the only son, Sajal bore the weight of his family’s struggles. His father, who is both deaf and blind, had sold their home to help an ailing relative, leaving them with no choice but to live in rental housing. With their future uncertain, Sajal took on the responsibility of supporting his family, determined to rebuild what they had lost.

Even when his mother passed away in August 2023, he returned home only briefly before resuming work in October, determined to give his father the stability he needed.

But on 25 November 2023, everything changed.

An Accident That Shouldn’t Have Happened

That day, while performing a quality check on welding work at a shipyard, Sajal was climbing down a ladder when he lost his footing and slipped.

His pain was immediate and severe. But his employer dismissed it as a minor injury and told him to rest in his dorm instead of seeking medical care. His safety supervisor was on leave, despite the requirement for one to be present at all times.

For three days, Sajal endured excruciating pain before finally being taken to a clinic. The doctor immediately referred him to National University Hospital (NUH), where scans confirmed his foot was fractured in at least 2 places. He was given an initial 14-day medical certificate (MC), but as his injuries required extended recovery his MCs were repeatedly renewed, keeping him out of work until 1 March 2024 (4 months after the incident).

Months Without Income

Since his accident, Sajal has had no source of income. His employer provided no financial assistance beyond the required medical leave wages, and once his MCs ended, he was left struggling to survive.

For the past few months, he has relied on friends and occasional NGO support to get by. And yet, despite his own challenges, Sajal has chosen to give back. As a peer supporter with Here With You Social Services, he walks alongside fellow migrant workers facing similar hardships, offering emotional support, guidance, and encouragement.

Now, Sajal needs our help.

How You Can Make a Difference

While Sajal waits for his injury compensation to be processed, he urgently needs support for basic living expenses. Ray of Hope is raising $1,200 ($200/month) to cover six months of essential needs to ensure he has food, transport, and a safe place to stay.

Sajal has given so much to others in their time of need. Let’s show him that he is not alone.