After battling a rocky divorce, Mahbuba found her feet working at Changi Airport. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic struck and she lost her job. That was how Mahbuba found her way at DOT, where she signed up for Power Up Online (PUO), an online confidence-building course supporting women transitioning back into the workforce. At PUO, Mahbuba was a force to be reckoned with: she shone as a class leader, helping facilitators keep the class engaged.

Mahbuba balanced part-time jobs while waiting for full-time employment, all while continuing on at DOT as part of our fellowship programme. Her generosity and community spirit also drove her to help design and launch DOTTERS, a community-led initiative that connects all DOT graduates in a support group online.

She’s also part of DOT’s Childminding Network, supporting mothers in their back-to-work journey by extending a helping hand to take care of their children. It’s always been important to Mahbuba that she can give back to the community, and she finds time to do so while balancing her responsibilities as a working woman and single mother. She’s also a fierce advocate for her adult daughter who is grappling with immigration insecurity and a wonderful nurturer for her other daughter who has mutism.

It is evident that Mahbuba is a fighter as she continues to conquer difficulties with grit and determination. But it is her warmth, eloquence and openness to share her vulnerabilities with others that makes her a true Shero.