What happened to Mdm Rani?

Previously a owner of a bakery for 17 years in Malaysia, 61 year-old Mdm Rani returned to Singapore after an estranged marital relationship and a hip injury that left her with limited mobility. Since the fall, Mdm Rani has been using a wheelchair at home and a motorized scooter to commute. 

She now lives with her younger son, Vicknesh and they hope to kickstart their home-based bakery in Singapore that will provide long-term financial stability. Currently, Vicknesh travels back and forth between Malaysia and Singapore to fulfill the orders from Malaysian customers. The mother-son duo struggles with the current mode of operations as they are not furnished with the proper equipment and resources to run the business here. 

How can you help?

Speaking to the caseworkers, Mdm Rani spoke passionately about how baking has been a huge part of her life, also having supported her two children through her bakery in her early years in Malaysia. Through the earnings from her business, Mdm Rani was able to afford all the bills, school fees and also repay the debts of her ex-husband. 

Mdm Rani still has hope for the future and belief in her self-worth. She is appealing for support through crowdfunding as she lacks the financial means to purchase the equipment and tools required to start the business, which will help her remain active and financially independent.  

By funding this campaign, you can fund Mdm Rani’s dream of kickstarting her home-based baking business. The support to purchase the necessary equipment and tools needed for the business that costs $2,396 will allow the single mother who currently has limited physical mobility to regain her confidence to stand on her own feet. This is beneficial for both her mental well-being and the family’s financial situation.

Find out more:

Mdm Rani relocated when she married a Malaysian 30 years ago. There, Mdm Rani ran a cake business for more than 17 years with her younger son, Vicknesh. Even though the business was reasonably successful, they barely made ends meet as most of the income went to paying for her husband’s expenses and debts. It was after many years of struggle that she made the difficult decision to divorce her husband. 

Things got even harder for Mdm Rani when she fractured her hip through a bad fall in 2021. Even after treatment, the 61 year old struggles with mobility even now. 

In March 2023, she moved back to Singapore with Vicknesh, and they currently reside in a two-room rental flat. Viknesh juggles working part-time in a cafe and home-baking in small batches to a small group of friends and supporters. At present, the family struggles to make ends meet currently, but feel ready to rebuild their lives by re-starting their cake business.

Mdm Rani ambulates using a wheelchair at home, and is able to manage her Activities of Daily Living with assistive devices. In her hopes to regain her mobility as quickly as possible, Mdm Rani attends exercise and physiotherapy sessions at the Senior Activity Centre near her place thrice a week. She feels hopeful and confident that with the capital to start their home-baking business, life will start looking up for them again.

*Mdm Rani is receiving social assistance.