Sri Yanah’s graduated from Aidha in 2016

Before she enrolled at Aidha, life for Sri Yanah was like many of our students.  She worked in Singapore for years before she heard of Aidha and was struggling with a lack of confidence and found it hard to socialise with others. And like many FDWs similar to her situation, saving was not a priority. After sending money home to Semarang in Central Java (Indonesia) each month, she would give herself a small allowance for spending “I didn’t think about saving money for my future,” she said.

Written by: Sarah Datta

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From an English student to business manager and now working towards becoming a professional photographer, Yanthi took most decisions in life with a goal to learn as much as possible.

Written by: Vittoria O.

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When Marilyn Orit left home in 2007, she was well prepared for a long road ahead. Even so, she could have never predicted she would come this far. From Maasin City, Philippines, she traveled all the way to Hong Kong where she started working with the Orchard family. Two years ago, she followed them to Singapore and has been living with them ever since. Adjusting to a new environment becomes a lot easier when your employers are like family to you.

Written by: Vitttoria O.

Marilyn in Singapore in 2014

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Watching her three beloved children grow older, Joy developed one deep, burning desire: giving them the best possible opportunities in life. She was already coping with several different jobs, but deep down she knew: education is the key. Almost secretly, she decided to leave her hometown Iloilo and set off to Singapore.

Written by: Vittoria O.

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Khan Mai, born and raised in Myanmar, attended university via distant learning and worked as a kindergarten and primary school teacher. But with eight siblings, her family struggled to make ends meet. So she packed her bags and set off to Singapore to provide for her family.

Written by: Vittoria O.

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Launched at the end of 2014, the Aidha Alumni Development Programme (ADP) is designed to provide continued support to Aidha graduates. We catch up with two of our ADP alumni to find out how their business plans are progressing.

Written by: Kate Sheperd

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Wiwik Sunariyah’s student life in Indonesia was not exactly the carefree days people usually imagine a student’s life to be. Her family was struggling with a heavy financial burden. When there isn’t enough food on your plate, school fees, books and uniforms are not the top priority. As the eldest of six siblings, Wiwik felt a great responsibility to make a change. One day, she swallowed her fears and set off to Singapore in search of better luck.

Written By: Vittoria O.

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In 2006, Irawati left Jakarta with a clear goal in mind — to provide her family with financial security and to secure a better future for herself. Several obstacles stood between her and her success — her poor English, fear of failing at her new job and unbearable homesickness.

Written By: Vittoria O

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Next month, a brand-new hostel will open in the city of Semarang, Central Java. With well-lit and modern rooms, this centre is for students, industry workers and commuters from nearby areas, offering them a place to relax and feel at home. The mind and heart behind this promising business is Radliyah, a brave and determined woman who dreamed about opening a hostel and turned that dream into reality after she enrolled in Aidha.

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“And the third prize at the second annual Migrant Worker Poetry Competition goes to…Sharasyamsi!”

Congratulations to Aidha student Sharasyamsi for doing us proud! This is the first time that the poetry competition allowed women to participate, and a whopping 65% of the entries came from women. Four Aidha students made the shortlist, with Sharasyamsi winning third prize with her poem “Engkau”, or “You”.

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