When Lilliana Samsudin lost her husband to diabetes complications in 2018, her greatest fear was not how she would manage financially, but what might happen to her two young sons if anything were to happen to her as well.
“If my husband can pass away at a young age of 49, then anything can happen to me too. I worry about my children because I don’t have other family members I can rely on,” she said.
Her husband had been working as an ambulance driver. After his passing, Lilliana became the sole breadwinner for her family, caring for their sons, now aged 12 and 14.
Life as a Single Parent
Today, 45-year-old Lilliana works as an engineer in the shipyard industry. Her basic monthly salary is $2,800 before CPF deductions, and with overtime, she brings home around $2,700.
Her days are long, as she balances demanding work hours with parenting duties, but she remains devoted to her children’s well-being.
While she can no longer afford extras like tuition classes, she ensures her sons feel loved and supported.
“Weekends are our time,” she said.
“We go out for dinner and walk around, it’s my way of showing them that even if we have less, we still have each other.”
A Caring Hand from the Labour Movement
Lilliana has been a union member since the early 2000s and is currently a member of the Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Employees Union (SMEEU).
However, it was not until 2022 that a colleague and fellow SMEEU member encouraged her to tap into NTUC’s support schemes.
Since then, Lilliana has received several forms of assistance through the NTUC-U Care Fund.
The assistance includes vouchers from the NTUC Care Fund (e-Vouchers), and cash from the NTUC Care Fund (Special Assistance) and the NTUC Care Fund (Caregiver Support) for Single Caregivers.
Lilliana said the assistance has helped ease her household burden, allowing her to allocate more of her salary for family expenses and save for emergencies.
“The vouchers really helped. I could stretch my budget a little further and have some breathing space,” she said.
She also highlighted how the cash component under the NTUC Care Fund (Caregiver Support) for Single Caregivers gave her the rare opportunity to build up an emergency fund.
Staying Grounded, Staying Grateful
Despite her challenges, Lilliana is cautious about not over-relying on aid.
“I’m not the kind of person who applies for everything. If I feel I don’t need it anymore, I won’t keep taking it,” she said. “I believe in giving back. It’s better to be a giver than a receiver.”
Her profound gratitude matches her humility.
“I feel blessed. With the help I’ve received, things have been quite okay. I’m thankful to NTUC and the union,” she said.
As her sons grow older, Lilliana continues to prioritise emotional presence over material goods.
“What they miss most is their father’s presence, not money. That’s why I make sure to be there for them and spend more time with them, even if it’s just dinner together.”
A Story of Strength and a Brighter Tomorrow
Lilliana’s story is a quiet testament to resilience and the power of community support.
Through the NTUC-U Care Fund, she has not only managed to stay afloat but also created a sense of stability and hope for her family.
With continued support from NTUC, more families like Lilliana’s can look to the future with strength, dignity and the comfort of knowing they are not alone.
To help those in need like Lilliana, you can donate to the NTUC-U Care Fund.