In the past year, the cost of necessities such as food, utilities and transportation continued to rise, hitting families and individuals from low-income backgrounds hard. Those who are already dealing with complex issues and struggling to make ends meet are experiencing mounting stress and anxiety. Read on for one of our beneficiaries story.
20 years ago, Ms Lim Joo Teng’s life took a 180-degree turn after a car crash left her then 24-year-old brother Mr Lim Joo Phiau paralysed. As Joo Phiau required round-the-clock care, their stepfather Mr Kua quit his job to become Joo Phiau’s full-time caregiver. Then 18 years old, Joo Teng decided to sacrifice higher education in order to work and provide for her family.
As Mr Kua’s health declined in recent years, Joo Teng had to hire a helper to care for her brother. She accumulated $14,000 in debts from multiple bank loans to cover daily and caregiving expenses. Joo Teng said if not for bank loans, she would have ended it all. “I didn’t know what savings are, because no matter how many hours I work, it’s not enough to provide for my family. I don’t know how I managed to survive until today,” she shared.
At 38, Joo Teng is now the sole breadwinner of her family, juggling two jobs as a pallbearer and ride-hailing driver.
"Grocery prices have risen and my utility bills have doubled. I have to tighten my belt and work for longer hours to meet the higher expenses."
Since 2021, Joo Teng has been on the MWS Family Development Programme (FDP), a debt clearance and savings matching programme. For every $1 she saved, MWS FDP matched with $2 funded entirely by donations raised by MWS. She is on track to reach her savings goal in June 2024.