Mdm Salbiah, 50, is battling chronic illness while caring for her family. Your support will help cover medical costs and household expenses as she works toward employment and stability.

A Hardworking Mother, Certified Unfit for Work

For years, 50-year-old Mdm Salbiah built her life around hard work and family. She used to work in a fast food outlet alongside her husband, Mr Selamat. They pulled long shifts to provide for their two sons, Farhiszal (20) and Farhisrus (19). But when illness struck the couple, everything changed.

In 2024, the family was hit by a cascade of medical crises. First, Mdm Salbiah was diagnosed with stomach cancer, on top of her existing conditions including major depressive disorder, diabetes, nerve problems, and a weak heart. 

Then, not long after, Mr Selamat suffered a stroke. He now requires daily insulin injections, on top of ongoing treatment for his weakened limbs and declining kidney functioning.

The couple relies on Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs) to move around. Just walking to the toilet, Mdm Salbiah says, “feels like climbing 10 to 20 flights of stairs”. Both parents have been certified unfit for employment until at least 2026.

Today, the family lives in a two-room rental flat. Farhisrus was recently diagnosed with autism and an intellectual disability, requiring attention and support. Farhiszal has become the full-time caregiver for his parents and younger brother. It’s a home full of love, but also immense emotional strain.

Fighting for Stability

Despite her own pain and limitations, Mdm Salbiah is doing everything she can to regain control of her life. This year, she completed a Diploma in Business. She hopes to eventually rejoin the workforce and pursue her long-time dream of running a small shop.

She’s working closely with her community social worker to apply for certification of permanent disability. If approved, this could open doors to employment support through disability-focused job matching services. As of today, work remains out of reach. 

Mounting Bills, Limited Options

While the family receives some community assistance, it’s not enough to meet all their basic needs. As an LTVP holder, Mr Selamat is not eligible for subsidies. His monthly medications, insulin injections, and follow-up consultations are essential and costly. His medical bills total over $600 a month. 

Their finances are stretched so thin that they’re often forced to choose between medical treatment and putting food on the table. 

To cope, they’ve borrowed from friends, sold household items, and now help a friend sell plushies at flea markets in exchange for a modest $15 monthly commission. Last year, Ray of Hope also supported the family with Selamat’s medical fees to ensure he can continue to receive treatment. But it’s still not enough.

The family has accumulated over $4,000 in utility arrears. With Mr Selamat’s insulin medication needing to be refrigerated, they cannot afford a disruption to their electrical supply.

For this family, uninterrupted electricity is not just a comfort, it’s a medical necessity. They are at a tipping point—one more missed bill could compromise his ability to stay on treatment.

How You Can Help

Ray of Hope is fundraising $5,248.20 to support six months of Mr Selamat’s medical treatment and the household’s utility fees. This gives the family the stability they need while Mdm Salbiah works toward re-entering the workforce.

This amount will cover:

• – Insulin needles: $33/month
• – Consultation and lab tests: $251/month
• – Medication: $324/month
• – Utility fees: $266.70/month

This is not just a stopgap, it’s a bridge. A chance for Mdm Salbiah to focus on her next steps without fearing that her husband’s care will be disrupted. 

A Family That’s Trying

The family recently upgraded to a two-room flat after 18 years in a one-room unit. But without stable income or external support, even this small victory feels fragile.

Please consider giving what you can. Your support will help this family stay afloat, while one mother fights for the future she still believes in.

*The family is receiving community financial assistance.