In a short span of three years, Hidah’s family of five shrank to two, when a series of tragedies struck her family members. Hidah and her father, Mr. Syed, continue to live day by day.

Ray of Hope is raising $3,500 ($500 x 7 months) to help Hidah’s family with their groceries, while they appeal for other social assistance. Your donations will lighten the family’s financial burden while Mr. Syed looks for a job.

Hidah was living with her parents, Mr. Syed and Mdm Mariam, and three siblings in their 4-room flat. The family was very close. Mr. Syed was an experienced cook who had spent 18 years running his catering business for Malay weddings. Mdm. Marian was the main caregiver for their eldest daughter who was bedridden from aged seven, after a medical procedure went awry.

“We were a happy family then. I was earning a good income as my business was doing well. I used to cook and cater for more than 1,000 people and it could earn me up to $25,000 a wedding. We did not have to worry about our meals.”

A series of tragedies hit the family:

Mdm. Mariam was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002.

Three months after her mother’s diagnosis, Hidah was in a motorbike accident, which left her with serious injuries to her skull and brain. She spent 26 days in a coma and underwent six surgeries.

In 2013, Hidah’s eldest sister’s health deteriorated and she passed away later that year. She was 34. Heartbroken, Mr. Syed took a break from the business.Just one year later, Mdm. Mariam’s cancer relapsed. Although she had beaten her previous cancer, this time she faced end stage brain cancer and passed on a few months later.

Tragedy struck again in 2015, when Mr. Syed’s youngest son, then 28, drowned in a fishing accident. Mr. Syed tearfully recounted how there were many bystanders, but no one came forward to help due to the high tide and strong river currents.

“It was supposed to be a happy outing for the family. But within 30 minutes from reaching, I lost my son forever. I felt so useless and helpless. Until today, I still dream of my son reaching out to me, drowning, asking for help.”

Mr. Syed and Hidah have been stepping out into life each day, even as they still grieve for their family members every night.

She says, “In three years, three of our loved ones were gone. We hadn’t even finished crying for my sister when my mother passed away. Then I lost my brother too. I am only left with my father now. He is my only strength now.”

Now 39, Hidah still walks with a limp and her head is in constant pain; she is unable to work and relies heavily on her father’s support. But Mr. Syed is getting older and cannot be with Hidah all the time, so the family employs a helper at a subsidised rate to help Hidah with her activities of daily living. The condition of Hidah’s right wrist and fingers is worsening, which affects her coordination and functions.

For the past four years, Mr. Syed has been working part-time at his sister’s stall to support Hidah. However, the stall shut early last year, with business being so bad due to Covid-19. Mr. Syed has tried to secure other cooking jobs, but it has been challenging. At 69, Mr. Syed also suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney issues and underwent surgery for a growth in his stomach.

Currently, the family relies on payouts from MUIS and CareShield Life for all their expenses. Mr. Syed also receives a quarterly payout from the Silver Support Scheme.