Danial (16), Danish (15), Atiqah (12) and Athirah (9) stay with their parents in a 3-room flat.
With a mere $1 each day for their pocket money, the four children often feel hungry during school recesses where they can only watch their peers take their meals. With this constant hunger, it is almost impossible for them to concentrate in school.
While both parents are working, the father as a cleaner and mother as a part-time staff at McDonald’s, the siblings are frequently left alone at home with no one to help supervise their school work.
They will be expecting yet another addition to the family later this year. Despite their tough situation, the four siblings are extremely happy and are anticipating the arrival of the baby. The two older boys plan to look for part-time jobs during their school holidays to earn some extra cash so as to contribute to the family’s new expenses and lessen their parents’ burden.
The family joined Xin Yuan Community Care 5 years ago and ever since, Xin Yuan has been providing them with free tuition to guide them in their school work and motivate them to improve in their studies.
Danial’s studies have been improving, slowly but surely, over the past few years through the guidance from our tutors. Although he failed his PSLE on his first attempt, our tutors persevered with unwavering support and he passed on his second attempt.
Xin Yuan also provides monthly groceries for them so as to lighten their financial burden. On top of that, Xin Yuan also helps with the children’s meal allowances before their tuition sessions so that they will not have to attend classes with an empty stomach.
“Without the help we’ve received from Xin Yuan Community Care, I would not have managed to pass my PSLE and be the person that I am today.” says Danish, who dreams of becoming a track engineer to enhance Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit System.
Indeed, the siblings have all shown good academic progress ever since they joined Xin Yuan’s tuition programme. Their parents are very thankful for the constant help and support over the years in their children’s academics which is displayed by their active participation in Xin Yuan’s activities.