The silverfish crept in quietly—but over time, they have taken a toll no one in the family could ignore.

A New Flat, A Long-Awaited Dream

For five years, Mdm Yana, her husband Mr Shahril, and their four children have squeezed into a cramped 2-room rental flat. The conditions were already tight, but things became worse in March 2024 when silverfish infested their home. “We’re living in an egg room,” the children say of their current flat.

Trying Their Best, With What Little They Have

Right now, the parents and three youngest children sleep on the same bed. Their eldest daughter, a Secondary school student, shares the living room with her six-year-old brother. To do her homework without distractions in the night, she often studies in the corridor with a makeshift table, tapping into the flat’s Wi-Fi just to finish her homework.

Like many families, they dream of having a home of their own. In July 2025, they will finally receive the keys to their long-awaited BTO flat. This is their chance to start fresh, with enough space for their children to grow up with privacy and stability.

This new chapter is something the whole family is working hard towards. Mdm Yana has already enrolled all three younger children into preschools near the new flat. She hopes to use this time to pursue a SkillsFuture course in administration, with the dream of finding stable work to uplift the family.

But the Move Brings New Worries 

Despite their determination, the family is stuck. Their current budget leaves no room for renovations or even the basic furnishings needed to make the new flat livable. 

The silverfish infestation is so deep that pest control experts have warned there’s a high chance the problem will follow them into their new home despite their efforts to throw out infested furniture and thoroughly clean their home. Now, Mdm Yana has noticed booklice and clothes moths have started appearing too, adding to their anxiety.

In spite of the family’s excitement of moving into a new flat, the cost of essential renovations, basic furniture, and a thorough pest control treatment is beyond their reach. Mr Shahril, the family’s sole breadwinner, works long hours as a cleaner. His income barely covers daily expenses.

Why the Move Must Happen Soon

The family has to return their rental flat within four months of collecting their keys on 22 July. Their children have already started preschool near the new BTO, which means Mdm Yana now travels 30 minutes to and fro with three young children during peak hours. The stress is mounting, and moving soon would bring much-needed stability.

Protecting Their New Home from Past Infestations

To prevent another outbreak of silverfish, the family hopes to install built-in wardrobes in the kitchen and bedrooms. In their current rental flat, their cupboards were badly damaged by pests, and many of their belongings were ruined.

Unlike standard cabinets, built-in wardrobes are customised to fit the space exactly. This would seal off potential entry points for pests to enter and hide. For the family, having proper storage isn’t just about tidiness—it’s about protecting what little they have in a safe and lasting way.

What Your Donation Will Help Cover

Your support will help the family make their new flat safe and liveable:

– Pest control services: $210

– Renovation: $9,398.32* (Breakdown below)

*Based on initial quotation given by the contractor, campaign target subject to change after site visit is done and quotation is finalised.

– Essential furniture: $448.90 (king-size bed frame)

A Safe, Clean Home Can Change Everything

This isn’t just about furniture or walls. It’s about giving four children the space to grow, learn, and finally feel at ease in a place they can call home. It’s about giving two parents a chance to catch their breath and rebuild with hope, not fear.

As Mdm Yana said: “We just want to live like a normal family, to both work and have savings, and a safe place for our kids. This new flat is our chance.”

Please consider giving today. Your donation can help this family move forward—cleanly, safely, and with dignity.