April 2022 marked a turning point in Mdm Norliza’s life — but not in the way she had hoped. What began as an ordinary day ended in a devastating fall that left her with a fractured wrist, requiring reconstruction surgery and months of painful rehabilitation. Her injuries added to yet another layer of financial strain for the family as Mdm Norliza’s husband, the sole breadwinner of the family, suffers from chronic medical conditions that requires recurring medication. Medical bills mounted and it was a daily struggle to make ends meet in the days that followed.

Overwhelmed and worried about the family’s financial situation, Mdm Norliza did what many would hesitate to do — she reached out for help. It was through that courageous step that she was connected to RiverLife Community Services, a community that would soon become her family’s harbour in the storm.

RiverLife Community Services stepped in to provide financial aid, easing the family’s immediate burdens. Going further, they worked hand-in-hand with the family to understand and meet each member’s unique needs, offering holistic care and support to the family.

Mdm Norliza’s family was enrolled into our Family Date sessions, a monthly family programme that equips our beneficiary families with skills and practical tools to navigate their challenges. Volunteer mentors stepped in to journey with her children, offering not just academic guidance but emotional encouragement.

Through BLESS Mums, a support network for mothers, she found a community of women walking through similar struggles. She no longer felt alone and now draws strength from friendships she had formed – mums who can relate to her challenges – and a safe space where she feels seen, heard and empowered.

Today, while financial challenges still linger, Mdm Norliza and her husband face each day with strength and steady resolve. Her story is a powerful reminder of how lives can be transformed when families are supported as a whole. With the right help and a caring community by their side, they no longer carry their burdens alone and have found the strength and hope to rise above their challenges, together and stronger as a family.