Ms Fazlena, aged 41, comes across as an independent and confident go-getter. However, it hasn’t been easy. After the divorce with her husband in October 2015, she was left to pick up the pieces and raise seven children on her own.

Having been a homemaker prior to her divorce she needed to find employment. However, her income was not enough to support her seven children, and also provide for a roof over their heads. Her ex-husband not providing alimony added to the financial stress. It was then that Ms Fazlena approached AWWA Family Service Centre (FSC) for help.

As they are a close-knit family, the divorce affected her children, especially the youngest one. Thankfully, her children’s education was not affected. AWWA FSC assisted the family by providing food rations and helping them apply for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

During this time, mother and children grew closer together in spite of Ms Fazlena’s busy work schedule. A hardworking mother – she works from Mondays to Fridays and on alternate Saturdays as well. She tries to spend as much time with her children on Sundays, going out together to window shop or having a meal together.

AWWA FSC encouraged Ms Fazlena and her family to participate in activities such as family camps and ad-hoc outings to help in their social and mental well-being. With counselling, she and her children received emotional support and learnt healthy coping skills to handle issues as a family.

Ms Fazlena now has a stable job; she is also pursuing a diploma in leadership management and communications to better herself in hopes of providing more for her children. The family who are now staying in a two-room rental flat are working towards getting a Build-To-Order flat in the near future.

Through these challenging times, the family has grown closer and the children appreciate their mother trying her best to build a better life for them. This bond they’ve build will continue to see them through the times ahead.