A Dream to Build a Home for His Family

When Shadin arrived in Singapore in July 2024, he carried a simple dream: to build a proper home for his family in Bangladesh.

Back home, his family includes his grandparents, mother, older brother, sister-in-law, and young niece. His grandparents are retired, and his mother is a homemaker. This leaves both brothers becoming the family’s main providers. To secure his job in a shipyard in Singapore, Shadin borrowed $7,500 from the bank to pay his agent fees. It was a life-changing sum for his family.

But only a few months after arriving, his dream came crashing down:

• November 2024: While installing heavy lighting equipment, it fell onto his left foot, fracturing it. The company doctor, instructed by his employer, allegedly placed him on minimal medical leave & light duties
• December 2024: He twisted the same foot again, and the bone fractured once more while carrying a heavy cable box alone. The injury was serious and required months of recovery. On top of medical leave, Shadin was provided with medical certificates for light duties, but there was no existing job scope nor job design by the employer that could account for light duties.
• February 2025: Despite being unfit for work, Shadin’s employer allegedly cancelled his work permit and stopped both his salary and medical leave pay.

Injured and Left Without Pay

He has been living in his dormitory on a Special Pass without income since February 2025, attending medical appointments and injured workers’ support group sessions while waiting for the outcome of his Work Injury Compensation claim, with a pre-hearing set for October.

To survive, he borrows from his cousin, brother, and friends. Every dollar goes to food, phone credit, and transport. He still calls home often to reassure his family. “I no like shipyard,” he says simply. “Too dangerous. I want safe job. I again coming Singapore.”

Despite the pain and uncertainty, Shadin remains hopeful. He wants to remain in Singapore to work in the construction industry, where he can contribute meaningfully with his electrical and air-conditioning skills that he has acquired while working in Bangladesh and rebuild his life safely.

Carrying the Weight of Debt and Uncertainty

His income has stopped, but his debts remain. The bank in Bangladesh continues to press for repayments. His older brother, who earns only $200 to $300 a month depending on the harvest, now supports the entire family.

To keep up with the minimum payments, the family has borrowed more from relatives and friends. They are now caught in a cycle of debt. While his work injury case still ongoing, it could take months before any compensation is awarded.

Until then, he has no income, no safety net, and no way to send money home.

Why This Support Matters Now

Ray of Hope is raising $2,750 to help Shadin meet his living expenses over the next six months:

1. Living expenses: $395 × 6 months = $2,370
2. Work Injury Compensation Medical Board reassessment: $363.70

Shadin came to Singapore to work hard and care for his family. An accident took away his income but not his determination to start again.

Your donation will help him with daily needs while he recovers and waits for his case to conclude. With your support, he can focus on healing and return to work to support his family back home once more.