Getting by during the COVID-19 period as an unemployed single mum was already taxing for Ms Nur Humaiza, and she was dealt another blow when she and her son had to serve a 14-day quarantine order.
Her seven-year-old had spent time with his father about a week before he tested positive for COVID-19.
As a precautionary measure, she and her child had to be quarantined in their one-room rental flat in Jurong West.
“I felt helpless when I heard the news because there was no one to get food for us, and we felt really lonely as we frequently stayed over at my sister’s house,” she said.
Within a day, a social worker helping Ms Humaiza liaised with other organisations to deliver 50 packs of cooked meals and household items to her home.
Her family was among 101 families who received $110 worth of groceries and $40 FairPrice vouchers from social service organisation Civilians Association of Singapore (CAS) yesterday.
Most of the recipients are single-parent families living in Jurong, and more families in the area and other places will receive the grocery packs in the coming weeks.
The initiative was created mainly to support single parents struggling during the COVID-19 period.
CAS members and the public contributed to an online fund-raiser for this initiative, and more than $23,000 has been raised, said CAS president M.P. Sellvem.
Ms Humaiza said the groceries will tide her over the next month while she focuses on her son’s medical expenses. A fifth of her $750 allowance goes to buying two cans of milk powder for her son, who needs the immunity boost as he has asthma, eczema and bronchitis.
Read more here.
Source: The Straits Times, 7 September 2020