Creating Sustainable Postive Change For Families
“I broke down with joy when I saw my savings grow from $20 to $1,000. I feel so much less stressed now and I can see a future, especially for my children. I am so thankful for Jo who has become a friend to me,”
recounted Miko.
Just a few years ago, it would have been unimaginable for Miko Lew, a single mother supporting 3 children and elderly parents in-law, to be where she is today. Her husband had walked out on the family. Without a job or savings back then, Miko spiralled into depression as debts mounted. Unable to deal with the pressure, she approached MWS Family Development Programme (FDP) and met volunteer, Josephine Lim.
“Miko used to avoid opening her mail. She was afraid of seeing bills because she had no way of paying them. I worked with her to prioritise the ones to pay, and sought waivers wherever possible,” said Josephine. For every dollar of debt paid off or every dollar saved by Miko, MWS matched with $2 entirely from donations as there is no government funding for this programme. Gradually, Miko cleared $2,000 in debts within 7 months. She then progressed to saving, receiving $2 from MWS for every $1 she saved on her own.

“I broke down with joy when I saw my savings grow from $20 to $1,000. I feel so much less stressed now and I can see a future, especially for my children. I am so thankful for Jo who has become a friend to me,” recounted Miko.
Her resolve was further tested in mid-2021, when her salary as a receptionist in the wellness industry was affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When her youngest daughter was issued a quarantine order, Miko had to take 2 weeks of unpaid leave to isolate with her daughter.
Despite the financial and emotional pressures, Miko remained positive, looking to Jo for support and spending prudently. She not only stuck to her savings plan but also managed to pay all her bills punctually.
“Being on the MWS Family Development Programme has given me great peace of mind because I’ve got Jo to journey with me, and emergency savings to fall back on should I ever need. There will still be challenges in the days ahead, but I believe I will be able to secure a brighter future for myself and my children because I’m not alone,” shared Miko.

Families in distress often struggle with multiple complex issues rooted in financial insecurity. Contributing factors include low education and wages, domestic strife, incarceration and chronic illness.
The MWS Family Services cluster supports these families through 4 MWS Family Service Centres (including a satellite one), the MWS Family Development Programme which focuses on debt alleviation and asset building, and the MWS Family Support Programme that provides training and guidance for parents of children aged 0 to 16 years old. In addition, we care for at-risk youth through a community-based rehabilitative programme, and children through an after-school programme.
Recognising the complexity of the issues our clients face, we employ trauma-informed principles to return agency into their hands and encourage them to tap on their unique strengths to manage their challenges.
In July 2022, MWS began to offer another upstream service – the Strengthening Families Programme@Family Service Centre (FAM@FSC), which supports couples facing marital challenges and families showing early signs of stress through marriage and divorce support, and family counselling.
Together with our community partners, volunteers and churches, MWS hopes to co-create a sustainable help network for clients.
