I have three children, and in 2001 my two
youngest are diagnosed with Thalessamia Major – TM. Their medical
condition meant that they fall ill easily and require blood
transfusion and check-ups at the hospital each month. In addition,
with their high body temperature, they constantly have to keep their
bodies cool. As such, we frequently have to turn on the air
conditioner. The high medical and utility bills ate up the bulk of
our meagre savings.
Our problems worsened.
In the same year, we had to downgrade from a 4-room flat to a 3-room
flat. At the same time, both my husband and I were retrenched. From
being a technician, my husband had to settle for a job as a
contracted security guard with an unstable income. As for me, I
could not secure a permanent job despite having attended many job
interviews. But still, we persisted in looking for new job
opportunities.
As a consequence of accumulated unpaid bills,
my family’s utility was disconnected twice and the Court repossessed
our belongings. We also received letters from lawyers representing
the bank demanding for loan settlement. There were days when my
family and I would have simple meals such as plain rice and egg, and
on some other days, instant noodles.
We approached Singapore
Children’s Society and they came to our aid. The financial
assistance they gave us helped us tremendously. We used the money to
pay for my children’s school needs, the family’s daily necessities
and bills. Children’s Society gave us food rations and appealed to
Singapore Power Services for a more affordable instalment
plan. Children’s Society also approached other welfare
agencies to grant us interim financial support.
Finally, I found a permanent position as a Workshop Assistant with a monthly income of $1400. I too completed my Office & Administrative Skill Programme with good grades. I am so happy and thrilled that I intend to pursue either an accounting or customer service course next year with MENDAKI. My husband too found a job as a store man with a monthly income of $1200. Soon after, he too obtained his vocational licence.
Other than wanting to improve our financial
status, my husband and I also want to be the best parents that we possible can be. Hence, we enrolled for a 4-session parenting course, Project Invest, conducted by Children’s Society. The course taught us a lot such as communicating with our children, parenting styles, positive discipline and more.
With Children’s Society’s help and with our
determination to make life better, we now see the light at the end
of the long dark tunnel.
Thank you, Singapore Children's Society.
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