Mr Mustapha is 81, and Mdm Hamidah is 70. They live together in a one-room rental flat. They do not have children, and there are no relatives able to help with expenses or daily care, so everything at home is managed by the two of them.

Both have experienced strokes in the past. Life at home is simple and carefully paced, shaped by their health conditions and limited mobility.

Mr Mustapha retired in 2018. Mdm Hamidah stopped working in 2000 after her stroke and has not been able to return to employment since then.

“It’s just the two of us,” Mr Mustapha shares. “We manage what we can.”

Ongoing Medical Costs

Mdm Hamidah manages several chronic conditions, including diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure. Walking long distances is difficult for her, which makes regular visits to a subsidised polyclinic challenging.

Instead, she attends a nearby GP clinic that is easier for her to access. Each visit costs between $300 and $400, including consultation and medication. These expenses add up quickly and strain on their limited savings. A single visit can take up a significant portion of what they receive each month.

Mr Mustapha’s medical care is fully subsidised through his polyclinic visits, which helps ease part of the household burden. However, the ongoing cost of Mdm Hamidah’s treatment continues to affect their finances.

“Every time there’s a clinic visit, we have to adjust the rest of the month,” Mdm Hamidah explains.

Living Within Their Means

The couple relies on retirement savings and small monthly payouts to cover daily living expenses and healthcare costs. With no family support, they handle everything on their own.

Over time, more of their savings have gone toward medical care. Grocery spending is planned carefully, often adjusted around clinic bills and medication costs. Some months feel especially tight.

“We always make sure the medicine is paid for first,” says Mr Mustapha. “Then we see what’s left.”

What This Support Will Provide

This campaign seeks to raise $2,443.20* to cover $400 per month for 6 months of grocery support.

With groceries covered, Mr Mustapha and Mdm Hamidah will not have to choose between medical appointments and daily meals. The $400 each month will go toward groceries and other essentials, easing pressure on their monthly budget.

This temporary support will reduce the strain of month-to-month budgeting while we work to refer them to a Family Service Centre social worker for longer-term assistance.

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