Mixed news for supermum

She is already working long hours every day of the week Madam Seah Yu Ping, 46, does it so that she can provide a better life for her son and family since her bitter divorce eight years ago.

In May this year, TNP chronicled her son Malcolm Teo's journey from the Normal (Academic) to Express stream.

He came to our notice when we were told he was getting a bursary from the Management Development Institute of Singapore.

It was then that we learned of the sacrifices Madam Seah made.

Not only did she look after her son, she tended to the needs of her parents and her brother and his wife.

The whole family lived in the brother's five-room flat.

When we caught up with her two weeks ago, Madam Seah had good and bad news.

In October, Malcolm scored six As and two Bs in his Secondary 3 final-year examination, recounted a beaming Madam Seah.

But, she told us she had lost one of her three jobs in September.

This meant her income is now $1,400, which is $500 less.

Still, the woman whose meal consists mainly of cup noodles and water to stretch her dollar, said: "I am very proud of Malcolm who is always studying and taking school seriously. He's grown up to be a very responsible boy. He even wanted to work during the holidays because he understands our situation.

"Everything I do, I do because I want him to have a better life."

REGRET

She said her only regret is the lack of quality time with her son.

"I wish I could be there more for him, to listen to him when he has troubles. I told him a few years ago that I would try to take him overseas for a holiday.

"But he knows our situation now and told me: 'As long as we're together, it's a holiday'." she said.

Madam Seah added that she is still looking for another job.

"I feel very proud that what I've done for my son doesn't go to waste," she said.

This article was first published on December 23, 2014.
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