30-year-old Mdm Misha is a single mother to her two children, aged 7 and 8. The family of three lives in a one-room rental flat. After her divorce in August 2021, Mdm Misha is worried about her children’s well-being, now that the caregiving duties for her two young children have fallen solely onto her shoulders. The maintenance amount provided by her ex-spouse was agreed to be $200. However, he has been inconsistent with the payment, leaving Mdm Misha to support the family herself.

Having to take care of  her children has made it difficult for Mdm Misha to seek a full-time job to improve the family’s financial situation in addition to having gallbladder issues. The family has incurred arrears owing to various agencies including SP Services and HDB. 

Ray of Hope is raising $2,500 ($500 x 5 months) to help Mdm Misha with her grocery expenses.

Mdm Misha is the sole provider to her family of three. To provide for the family, Mdm Misha was previously employed as a part-time warehouse assistant in October 2021. She was earning approximately $600 a month but had to leave her job in December 2021 when she was unable to find caregiving arrangements for her children. Since then, she has been only relying on the financial support from the Social Service Office (SSO) that has ended in March 2022.

In 2020, Mdm Misha was diagnosed with gallbladder issues. The doctor has recommended that she undergo surgery but she did not go through with it as she was afraid of the cost and recovery process. 

“My kids have been persuading me to go for the surgery but who is going to care for them after that?” Mdm Misha shared.

Despite her medical condition, the caring mother has always prioritised her children’s needs first. Mdm Misha hopes to return back to the workforce once she is able to find suitable caregiving arrangements for her children. She has plans to start part-time employment which allows her to care for her children after school.

*Mdm Misha government financial assistant has ended last month and she is not receiving government financial assistance now.