“I cannot give up because if I do, my children will not be supported. We have to try and face whatever is coming. We never know if something better is ahead.” — Mrs. Ho

Mr. and Mrs. Ho have been through a challenging journey together. Married for over 10 years, they have faced homelessness and are now rebuilding their lives in a rental flat. They are parents of two young children—aged 5 and 2—both of whom have been diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay (GDD). Children with GDD have significantly lower intellectual functioning than their peers. 

One Incident that Changed Everything 

In November 2022, a knee injury sustained by their 2-year-old son at childcare set off a series of events that changed their family’s life. The parents waited two days to assess the injury before seeking medical attention. Unfortunately, the hospital reported the incident as potential neglect to child protective services, who deemed the couple’s lack of immediate response as a lack of parental knowledge. As a result, both children were placed in foster care.

But Mr. and Mrs. Ho were determined to be reunited with their children. They remained committed to child protective services’ guidelines and finally got to spend four days a week as a family. During this time, the couple has shown their dedication to meeting the children’s developmental needs by attending regular parenting sessions, appointments, and therapy sessions. They have made great progress in their parenting skills and hope to regain full custody of their children by June 2025.

However, there is still one key barrier to full reunification—financial stability.

Struggling to Make Ends Meet

The Ho family’s current financial situation has made it difficult for them to meet the requirements needed to achieve full custody. Mr. Ho works ad-hoc jobs at temples, while Mrs. Ho works part-time as a shop assistant. Though they hope to find more stable employment, their current flexible hours are essential to meet the demands of their children’s care, including attending therapy sessions and coordinating with the foster family on a complex weekly schedule. Nevertheless, they remain committed to exploring ways to increase their household income. 

Despite their hard work, their income is barely enough to cover daily expenses, especially as they have been forced to skip meals to save money. Additionally, their savings have depleted after covering essential costs and attending their children’s health appointments. Their situation is made even more challenging by their need to travel frequently for sessions and appointments related to their children’s GDD.

A Home Full of Hope, But Not Yet Safe

While the couple has managed to purchase a build-to-order apartment, their home is still far from ready. It is unfurnished, with no kitchen appliances, and presents safety risks, such as open windows that could be reached by their young children. In order to provide a safe and stable environment for their children, the Ho family urgently needs financial help to renovate their home.

How You Can Help

Ray of Hope is fundraising for $5,010* to support the following critical renovations:

– Kitchen sliding door: $1,480

– Kitchen cabinets and dish rack: $1,450

– Kitchen sink and tap: $120

– Window grilles: $1,060

– Window blinds: $900

These renovations will create a safer, more stable home for the Ho family, giving them the foundation they need to reunite with their children full-time. With a functional kitchen, Mr. Ho will be able to prepare healthier meals at home, reducing their food costs and ensuring their children eat nutritious food. This will also free up their mental bandwidth and time, allowing them to focus on securing more stable employment in the future.

*Campaign target has been extended to $6,400.20 to address the family’s need for a kitchen countertop and the associated contractor fees.

A Family’s Hope for the Future
Despite the overwhelming challenges, Mr. and Mrs. Ho continue to remain hopeful. As Mrs. Ho says, “We hope our children can grow up healthy and happy. They keep me going. I cannot give up because if I do, my children will not be supported. We have to try and face whatever is coming. We never know if something better is ahead.”

Join Us in Rebuilding Their Future
Your donation will help break down the financial barriers preventing this family from reuniting. With your support, we can help them create a stable and safe environment for their children, bringing them one step closer to a brighter future as a family.