Terry’s Story

Terry is a father of three, doing his best to keep his family stable despite mounting pressure. They live in a one-room rental flat, where his eldest daughter, now 13, is entering an age where space and privacy matter, while his two younger sons, aged four and two, still require constant care and attention.

For years, Terry was the sole breadwinner while his wife cared full-time for their young children. Although she has recently become a Singapore citizen and is preparing to return to work, the family’s financial situation has already reached its breaking point.

When COVID changed Terry’s Family

Timeline of Events

• 2019
  • Terry purchased a car and began working as a private-hire vehicle (PHV) driver, taking on a car loan and working long hours to provide stability for his family.
• 2020 
  • When COVID-19 hit and most people started working from home, Terry’s income dropped sharply due to fewer bookings, making it difficult to keep up with car loan repayments and household expenses.
  • With limited income and no viable alternatives at the time, Terry borrowed from friends and licensed moneylenders to cover daily necessities and keep his household afloat.
• 2021
  • Terry fell behind on car loan payments and the vehicle was repossessed. Losing the car also meant losing his job, severely impacting his livelihood.
  • Terry secured a frontline role as a healthcare worker, working shift-based roles and taking on as many shifts as possible, sometimes working up to 30 days a month, including public holidays, to stabilise his family’s finances.

• 2024
  • The family faced additional financial strain when Terry’s mother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer, adding medical-related expenses on top of bills accumulated over the years.

• July 2025 
  • The family was coping with the loss of Terry’s mother-in-law, compounding both emotional and financial pressures.

• Present
  • Terry now works as a technician, putting in long hours and overtime whenever possible, but his current income remains insufficient to meet daily needs while addressing the arrears accumulated during this period.

A Family at Risk

The family is facing urgent financial distress, with outstanding arrears totaling $$12834.80. These include rental payments, Town Council charges, children’s education-related expenses. In addition, Terry has significant outstanding debts, including a Debt Repayment Scheme (DRS) balance of $22,850. Without immediate intervention, Terry is at high risk of bankruptcy, which would severely restrict his employment opportunities and place the family’s financial stability in serious jeopardy.

Although Terry sought assistance from the Social Service Office, his assessment was based on his previous income, which no longer reflects his current circumstances. As a result, his application was rejected, and he does not have ongoing formal support, leaving him to manage these financial pressures largely on his own.

Why Your Support Matters Now

Despite the strain he carries, Terry remains focused on moving forward. He carefully stretches every dollar and prepares most meals at home. His daughter has since obtained Singapore citizenship, reducing her school fees to $11 per month. While this eases the long-term burden, it does not resolve the existing arrears.

This campaign seeks to raise $$12,834.80 to clear rental payments, Town Council charges, Children’s education-related expenses to reduce the risk of bankruptcy, and provide short-term relief. Clearing these arrears would allow Terry’s wife to transition into work as a barista and help the family move toward becoming a dual-income household, giving them the time and space they need to steady themselves and rebuild.

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