Six-year-old Shawn lives with his mother, who became the family’s sole provider after his father passed away suddenly from a heart attack. The loss left a deep impact on the family, as Shawn’s mother had to manage caregiving, household expenses, and her son’s needs on her own.
In school, teachers noticed that Shawn had difficulty with handwriting and sustaining attention during class activities. Through the Development Support-Learning Support Programme (DS-LS), Shawn received occupational therapy to strengthen his fine motor and attention skills. With consistent guidance and encouragement, he made steady progress — writing more confidently and staying engaged for longer periods.
To support the family through this difficult period, NTUC Community Fund worked with the preschool team and community partners to provide both practical assistance and emotional support. The Social Support Executive connected Shawn’s mother to community resources, including food support and grocery vouchers, and guided her through successful claims under Income Insurance’s Family Micro-Insurance Scheme (IFMIS) and NTUC GIFT.
Shawn also received financial assistance for school essentials such as uniforms, helping to ease his mother’s day-to-day expenses so she could focus on other essential needs. Through the sponsored NTUC Membership Programme, his mother received additional support for daily necessities and access to subsidised training opportunities.
With regular check-ins and encouragement from the Social Support Executive, Shawn’s mother gradually grew stronger and more hopeful. Today, Shawn is happier, more focused, and more confident in class, while his mother continues to support him with warmth and resilience.
Through NTUC Community Fund’s support, families like Shawn’s are able to find renewed hope and stability, ensuring that children can continue learning, growing, and looking forward to a brighter future.
