There was a time when every day felt like a race against the clock for Mdm Huraizah. As a mother of four young children, ranging from ages 5 to 13-years old, her life revolved around endless caregiving duties, school runs, meals, and the countless needs of her little ones. Each day was packed from dawn to night, leaving barely a moment to breathe, much less plan anything for herself.

“I felt like my time wasn’t mine anymore,” she recalls. “Everything was for the children. I couldn’t even imagine making space for my own needs.”

It was through the Punggol Family Service Centre that she first heard about BLESS Mums in 2022. A support programme by RiverLife Community Services (RCS), it was tailored for mothers like her – women bearing the burden of holding their families together – to support each other.

It proved to be a turning point in her life. BLESS Mums gave her a community of support. Surrounded by other mothers walking through similar journeys, Mdm Huraizah no longer felt alone. She found a safe space where she could be honest about her struggles and, more importantly, be seen not just as a mother, but as a woman with hopes, dreams, and potential.

Workshops with topics ranging from emotional wellness to parenting, were paired with light-hearted outings that gave mums much-needed time to recharge. “The activities, the support, the encouragement — it all helped me in ways I didn’t expect,” she shares. “Coming for the sessions gave me ideas, new skills, and the confidence I needed. I always leave feeling lighter, more hopeful.”

The greatest change, she says, is within. Through the programme, she learned patience, not just with her children but with herself. “I’ve learned to be more tolerant and practise self control; to be kinder to myself, and speak words of encouragement to my children and my own heart.”

BLESS Mums has also helped her rediscover herself as an individual capable of growth and new beginnings. Mdm Huraizah now hopes to step into the working world, not just to support her family financially, but to make them proud. “My goal is to be successful to show my children that their mother didn’t give up – I kept going.”