A Grandmother’s Love

At 59, Mdm Esah has taken on a responsibility few expect at her age. She is the main caregiver to her three grandchildren — Ryan (13), Fellysha (11), and little Rysah (3). Due to family circumstances, the children have been under their grandmother’s care for most of their lives. For them, home has always been their grandmother — the person they call mama.

When Ryan and Fellysha were younger, they could not enrol in mainstream school because of high fees due to their non-Singaporean citizenship. Still, she refused to let them fall behind. With limited income and no steady work, she sent them to subsidised tuition and learning centres, hoping it would give them a chance other children had. With support from their FSC social worker, they were eventually enrolled in school at ages 10 and 8.

Now, the family faces another turning point. Ryan is waiting for his secondary school posting, and both older children need new books, uniforms, and supplies before the school year begins.

How she’s trying

Despite her health, Mdm Esah continues to show up for her grandchildren every day. She manages their routines, brings them for appointments, attends school meetings, and keeps the home running. Her last job was in 2016 as a cleaner, but her medical conditions — arthritis, chronic asthma, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure — have worsened with age. In May 2025, she was assessed as temporarily unfit for employment until June 2026.

She is also actively working with her FSC social worker and a pro bono lawyer on adoption papers for Ryan and Fellysha. Without adoption, she cannot apply for citizenship on their behalf, even though they have lived with her almost their entire lives. The court hearing is upcoming, and she is hopeful. If adoption is approved, they can finally apply for PR or citizenship, unlocking more support and stability for their future.

Even with these challenges, she saves what she can for the children. “I feel bad when I can’t provide the children the best,” she says quietly. “I want them to experience like other kids.”

The Family’s Current Barriers

Preparing the two older children for school has brought new costs, and their non-citizen status means they are not eligible for the School-based Financial Assistance Scheme.

Ryan’s transition to secondary school comes with higher costs — textbooks, uniforms, and other essentials that the household cannot afford. As she waits for his posting results, she admits, “It scares me because his books and school items are more than I can manage right now.”

How can you help?

Ray of Hope aims to help this family prepare for the upcoming school year by funding essential school items for both older children:

1. Fellysha’s school books: $69.15
2. Ryan’s secondary school books and uniform: $450
3. The children’s other school necessities e.g. stationeries, shoes, bags: $200
   

Total needed: $719.15

A small gift today can ease Mdm Esah’s worry and give the children a steady, hopeful start to the year.

*The campaign goal includes a 1.8% payment processing fee.