Breaking the Poverty Cycle
Building a nest egg through MWS Family Development Programme has eased Mdm Tan Chiew Leng’s financial worries
Mdm Tan Chiew Leng, 52, has been through some rough patches in life. At the age of 3, she was placed in a children’s home by her mother, where she stayed till the age of 18. Later in life, her marriage ended in a messy divorce and an accumulation of huge debts by her ex-husband under her name.
After selling her house to pay off the debts, Mdm Tan was left with little savings and had to work 3 jobs to raise her 3 young children. “It was a very tough time,” she recalled. “I would buy food for my kids but drink water for my meals because I couldn’t afford to eat.”
While her 3 kids with her ex-husband have since grown up and are leading their own lives, Mdm Tan now has a 16-year-old daughter from another relationship and a minor ward under her care.
To devote more time to her children, Mdm Tan works as a cleaner on a part-time basis. Her work options are limited due to her battles with chronic carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition causing pain in her hands extending to her back.
As the sole breadwinner of the family, Mdm Tan’s concerns about providing for her children’s growing needs has been alleviated, thanks to the savings she has accumulated since joining MWS Family Development Programme (FDP) in 2018.
MWS FDP is a debt clearance and savings matching programme, designed to alleviate poverty by helping people get out of debt and into asset building and saving. MWS FDP matches with $2 every dollar that beneficiaries clear in debt or save up.
Mdm Tan said that being under MWS FDP has motivated her to curb unnecessary spending and save for emergencies, and that the savings have come in handy.
“When I was going through the divorce in my 30s, I borrowed money from my friends to repay my ex-husband’s debt. Till today, they didn’t chase me to return the money,” she shared.
“But recently, one of them had a family emergency and asked me to pay her back, which I did using a portion of the savings. If not for these savings, I would be stressed out. I think this is a wonderful programme and I have been blessed by it.”
I am very thankful for (the MWS Family Development Programme). I hope to use the money I’ve saved for my children’s education next time. I am less stressed now and proud that I can support my children.
New challenges
Not journeying alone
As befriending is a key aspect of the programme, with the aim of transforming the beneficiary’s behaviour towards their finances, Mdm Tan was paired with MWS befriender Roy Tay.
A volunteer with Hakka Methodist Church, Roy has been journeying with Mdm Tan and her family for the past 2 years. During his monthly visits to the Tan household, Roy guides and encourages Mdm Tan to save and spend wisely. Under his guidance, Mdm Tan has taken small steps towards effective money management that has improved life for herself and her family.
“Roy taught me how to save, for example, by advising my kids not to waste water or electricity. I followed his advice and managed to cut my electricity bills in half,” shared Mdm Tan.
Today, Mdm Tan is close to reaching her savings goal and is expected to graduate from the programme by early 2023.
“I am very thankful for this MWS programme. I hope to use the money I’ve saved for my children’s education next time. I am less stressed now and proud that I can support my children,” shared Mdm Tan.
Empower low-income families like Mdm Tan’s to break the poverty cycle by matching their debt clearance or savings payment and give them hope for a better life. Donate at give.mws.sg.
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