Success Stories
Be inspired by DOT's Sheroes (She-Heroes)
Everybody has a choice but choose wisely. Don’t let anyone/anything bring you down. ASK. But ask the right outlets. – Norlin
I have to work even though I am sick. But I love my job so I don’t mind. When I don’t sew, I feel worse! – Aishah
Siti Aishah was one of the very first women that we bridged with a livelihood opportunity. She had been referred to us by her Social Worker at NUH. Both she and her son have chronic health conditions and she is unable to seek out out-of-home employment.
Siti Aishah shared with us that she loves sewing. DOT tapped on that interest and ability and found her a home-based job making soft toys. 5 years on, Siti Aishah is still sewing and has a stable monthly income. She says that sewing keeps her going and helps her through her own health challenges. Her passion for sewing is evident in the beautiful products that she makes.
It takes a lot of heart, sweat and tears being a single mom to a special needs child. But the improvement she showed makes it all worthwhile. Her speech and motor skills are getting better. With every milestone, she achieved I felt the achievement as well. – Sharifah
Sharifah Nurlela is the kind of mother she never thought she could be. Her 7-year-old daughter, Athiyyah Halwa, who has special needs, has been both a challenge and a blessing to her. Sharifah, or Iffah, as she is known to DOT, was unable to secure a job for a year after Halwa was diagnosed. But since she joined DOT’s Confidence Curriculum, she has been bridged with a job in the caregiving sector that gives her the chance to spend more time with her daughter.
Don’t give up. Today you may not get it but tomorrow is a new possibility. – Shaila
It has been a long court battle for Shaila with years of being denied access to her daughter. A Bangladeshi national, Shaila married a Singaporean man and had a Singaporean child together. Just days after the delivery, her ex-husband and his family threw her out of their home. With no family and no one to turn to in Singapore, she had to return to Bangladesh. Shalia made countless trips back to Singapore, each time fighting for custody and access to her daughter.
She finally decided to seek support and assistance at a women’s shelter in Singapore, and soon was referred to DOT. Since then, she has completed our DCC program, obtained a work permit, and is now working at Lions Befrienders as a Home-care Assistant. She is also pursuing her higher education through part-time studies. While she still struggles to get to see her daughter, Shalia has come a long way and is as determined as ever to keep going.
Despite whatever commitments you have, try to get a job. It is better than sitting at home and doing nothing. – Tiwik
Tiwik is a Singapore Permanent Resident, married with two kids – an 11-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl. After her mother-in-law passed on, Tiwik had to send their helper back and struggled to find a new one to care for her pre-teen son who is playful and addicted to video games. She left her previous job to focus on her family. Her social worker from Hope Family Service Centre introduced her to DOT and encouraged her to attend our workshops.
With the understanding of her needs and interest for a career in the service line, especially in the beauty sector, DOT bridged her to an opportunity with Sephora. She was offered a position as a part-time Beauty Advisor.
Tiwik will be soon be completing her first year with Sephora. She finds a lot of joy in her job and only has praises for her manager at Sephora.
Our women support programmes and services are catered for women from low-income families who are registered with any Family Service Centre or Social Service Office. If you’re keen to join our programmes, get in touch with your Social Worker or Social Service Officer to send us a referral at [email protected].