Madam Yan Hong (with her son) may be in Singapore because her son studies here, but she takes umbrage if you call her a peidu mama.

She is quick to remind you that she holds an EntrePass for entrepreneurs, not the long-term visit pass that most study mamas have.

The 39-year-old from Xian, the capital of Shaanxi province in north-central China, adds that she does not attend gatherings organised by study mamas here.

'Everyone just talks about their problems at those meetings. I do not feel good attending them,' she said.

Madam Yan, who has a master's degree in economics from the Central Party School, an institution which trains Chinese leaders, owned a property management company and a vocational school business back home.

In 2006, the well-spoken divorcee decided to take her son, her only child, to Singapore because she felt that the education system in China was too stressful. Besides, both her sisters had been studying and working in Singapore for 16 years.

Her son, now 12, is studying in a primary school in Bukit Batok. He topped his class last year. 'He loves it here - the school, the teachers, the environment,' she said.

But the adjustment was more difficult for her. Chinese nationals who hold good jobs in Singapore tend to look down on study mamas, she said.

She added that study mamas tend to get into trouble because they are lonely. 'One mother, one child, you feel alone and have no outlet for the stress and pressure. That is why many get into relationship problems here.'

Madam Yan, who lives in a flat in Bukit Batok, has partnered a Singaporean to start a health product chain here and they have two shops.

Last year, she invested $300,000 of her savings in two local companies, both of which are now under probe by the Commercial Affairs Department.

She is unlikely to get her money back.

During that time, counsellors from a family service centre here and friends from the church she attends stood by her.

'I am really grateful for the help Singaporeans have shown towards us,' she said. 'I hope China professionals here will try to understand study mamas better.'

Mavis Toh

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Sept 28, 2008.

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