In a small household of eight, Mdm Anisah has become the pillar of strength for her family. Together with her husband, Affian, and their five children—Aafiyah, Akid, Afif, Aniq, and Afiqah—she is doing all she can to keep things together. Life is a daily challenge, but their hope for a brighter future is unwavering.

The Struggle of Making Ends Meet

In 2023, Affian made the difficult decision to leave his job as a delivery driver. The work conditions had become unbearable, affecting both his health and family relationships. Determined to keep providing for his family, he transitioned to limo driving, hoping it would bring in steadier income. But with the high vehicle rental and operating costs, he was unable to earn anything beyond covering the car’s expenses.

Affian then moved to work as a Grab driver, where he saw the potential to make ends meet with more flexibility. However, in June 2024, illness struck both him and the children, forcing him to take three weeks off work. With no income, mounting car rental fees, and depleted savings, he had to turn to loans just to keep food on the table. 

Now, the family survives on monthly supplies of canned food, vouchers, and dry rations from social services, stretching their resources as much as possible. Milk for Aafiyah is rationed, diapers for Aniq are carefully conserved, and meals are limited to one dish.

Mdm Anisah’s Tireless Dedication

Mdm Anisah is also the primary caregiver for her son, Aniq, who has been diagnosed with autism, epilepsy, and intellectual disability. His condition requires constant attention, which led Mdm Anisah to leave her job to care for him full-time. Her days are long and filled with duties that begin at dawn and often extend past midnight. Amid the endless caregiving and household chores, she also provides support to Akid, who faces a language delay, and strives to maintain a positive environment for all her children, hoping to leave a lasting impact on their lives.

“My children are my strength,” she shares. “I may not have the means to give them everything financially, but I give them all my love and support because I want them to break this cycle of hardship. I pray to be here for Aniq as long as possible so he has someone who truly understands his needs.”

How Your Help Can Make a Difference

Affian remains committed to his role as the family’s breadwinner, working up to 16 hours a day to bridge the gap in income and clear their loans. Yet, despite his hard work, they face a shortfall of over $3,000 each month. Ray of Hope is raising funds to support their living expenses for six months, giving them the opportunity to breathe and recover.

Here’s how your support would help cover essential costs for six months:

– Aniq’s care and school needs – $420.40

– Akid’s tuition fee – $160

– Aafiyah’s milk powder – $204

– Living expenses – $304.96

The target of $1,069.40 per month would help provide the children with the basics they need, giving Affian a chance to focus on restoring financial stability without sacrificing his health.

More about Mdm Anisah’s family: 

A Family Rooted in Community

Since 2024, the family has been giving back through volunteering with Ray of Hope. They see volunteering as an opportunity to spend time together, engage with people, and give their children experiences they could otherwise not afford. From participating in a bowling event with formerly incarcerated persons to hosting an Iftar dinner, they open their hearts and home, always eager to connect with others and share their story.

For Mdm Anisah, these experiences are about more than giving back. “I don’t want my children to feel outcasted because we are poor,” she says. Volunteering has given the family not only a sense of purpose but also precious memories together.

A Message from Mdm Anisah

“Every day, I start at 5:30 a.m. and end past midnight, caring for Aniq, helping Akid with his studies, and taking Aafiyah to school. My biggest hope is for my husband to find stability so our children can have a better future than we had. I want them to grow up strong, united, and full of compassion for one another.”

Help the Family Get Back on Their Feet

By supporting this campaign, you’re providing the essentials they need to carry on, giving them the opportunity to focus on their long-term goals and, above all, the well-being of their children. Together, we can lift the weight of survival off their shoulders and empower them to keep pushing forward.

* Previous assistance rendered: 

In 2019, Ray of Hope raised $1,070 to partially support the family’s groceries, milk and diapers expenses while Mdm Anisah recovered from surgery. We are once again asking for your generosity to support the family and help them regain financial stability.