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CNA
2 days ago
- General
- CNA
This ex-offender rebuilt her life and reunited with her daughters with help from a halfway house
A fellow resident at the halfway house had made a mistake. And once again, Faradilla Abdul Latiff lost her cool. She knew it was wrong, but she couldn't help losing her temper. Faradilla expected to be told off and put down, but to her surprise, the staff at Rise Above Halfway House were kind. After she admitted that she struggled with anger, they offered to work with her on managing her rage and other negative emotions. 'I get mad with others even when it comes to simple disagreements, and I used to think my anger was always going to be part of me,' she said. 'But the staff didn't judge me. They encouraged me and made me feel safe to talk about my issues,' she added. 'They believed in me, and I learnt to trust and forgive myself, too." Rise Above Halfway House, a collaboration between the Singapore Muslim Women's Association (PPIS) and the Singapore Prison Service, is a secular rehabilitative centre for women inmates serving the tail end of their sentence, mostly for drug offences. Faradilla spent the final six months of her fourth prison sentence there. 'I used to think that because I was a repeat offender and drug abuser, I'd never change,' the 41-year-old told CNA Women. 'I believed myself to be the bad person that everyone around me thought I was, and I was stuck in this negative cycle that I'd never escape. 'It didn't matter that there was a voice inside me telling me that I was good and I wanted to be better. I was just going to be like that – until I came to the halfway house.' THE FIRST TIME SOMEONE BELIEVED IN HER Founded in 2021, Rise Above Halfway House can house 40 to 50 women. Each resident is assigned duties and given opportunities to attend programmes that help them readjust to life after prison, including resume writing, financial management, and interview workshops. As someone who struggles with addiction, Faradilla recognised that what helped her the most in her rehabilitation were the soft skills: Anger management, self-acceptance, communicating with others, fostering empathy and trust. 'I never got much support from some people around me,' she said. 'I'd want to change, but the moment I slipped up or relapsed, they'd say things like 'you'll never change' or 'you'll be this way forever'. 'It hurt to hear them, but I wouldn't show my pain. Since people didn't think I was good, I might as well be bad.' I believed myself to be this bad person that everyone around me thought I was, and I was stuck in this negative cycle that I never thought I'd escape. Stuck in a spiral of self-loathing, Faradilla would turn to the familiar – drugs and other crimes – to cope, even though she desperately wanted to be free from them. Her time at the halfway house, however, helped to break the cycle. This was Faradilla's second stint at a halfway house, referred to by the prison service. However, compared with the first time, which she perceived as merely a temporary shelter before reintegrating into society, her time at Rise Above led her to think about rebuilding her life more intentionally. Each resident at the halfway house is given a list of tasks, such as cleaning and cooking. While they seem menial and inconsequential, these duties gave Faradilla trust and responsibility. It boosted her self-esteem and taught her better self-control. 'Toilet duty, kitchen duty, cooking – all these tasks made me feel like I could take care of all the residents in the house. And when I did them, I realised that I could do it. I could be better.' LANDING A JOB THAT GIVES HER PURPOSE When she was coming to the end of her prison sentence, Faradilla had to choose a sector and job to apply for. 'I've done many jobs in the past – admin work, factory roles – they were the kind I could easily finish and be done with,' she said. 'But in the house, after starting to think differently about myself and what I could do, I wondered, what if I could do more?' Faradilla then thought about her parents, both of whom have medical conditions, and how she wanted to learn skills that would help her care for them better. She told CNA Women that before this most recent imprisonment, she had had a bad argument with her mother. 'My mum had a stroke and is mostly bedridden. At that time, I was going through so much trouble and pain, so I lashed out at her. That was the last time I saw her before going back into prison,' Faradilla said. 'I felt horrible, I had so much guilt. When I was released, I knew I wanted to make things better.' The motivation sparked her interest in senior care. With help from the staff and volunteers at Rise Above, she landed the job as a senior community care associate at a nursing home early this year. Many of the elderly residents there have medical conditions like Parkinson's disease, stroke, and advanced dementia. Her job includes cleaning up after them and supporting those who are less mobile. It requires her to know her patients well – their feeding habits, physical and mental capabilities, and even their favourite games and activities. As most of the patients are Chinese, she has even picked up basic Mandarin and Hokkien. 'The old me would have laughed at the me now, doing this role of caring for others,' she said. 'But you know what? I'll laugh back at her, because I feel glad I'm doing this. 'This job helps me help others, and more importantly, it allows me to help my mother after giving her so much grief all these years. The role gives me a new purpose in my life.' For the first time, I had other people who believed in me, and that meant a lot to me – I learnt to trust and forgive myself. Faradilla added that being busy mentally and physically also helps her focus on life away from drugs and other crimes. 'There are days I'd bump into my old circle of friends,' she said. 'And I won't lie, they will tempt me into using again, but I'll remember that, now, I have a job to get to, I've people to be responsible for. I don't want to live that life again, and so I'll say no.' DOING HER BEST TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES FOR HER LOVED ONES While Faradilla believes she's in a much better place now, she acknowledges that each day is challenging. 'That is the reality for an addict – every day is hard,' she said. 'I will remember the feeling (of being high), I will think about using again, but my time in Rise Above taught me how to overcome these thoughts,' she said. One of the ways the halfway house taught Faradilla to manage herself is to fill her time with positive activities and by serving her family. When she was incarcerated, Faradilla felt tremendous guilt at being absent from her two daughters, now aged 21 and 15. She also felt bitter anger and resentment towards some family members whom she thought were not supportive of her. During her time in prison, her older sister cared for their elder daughter, while the younger girl came under her ex-husband's care. Since her release, Faradilla has made it a point to spend more time with her girls to reconnect with them. She sees them several times a week as they don't live with her. She has also learnt to think more positively of her family, and to slowly let go of the bitterness she harbours. 'Now feels different from the previous times I was released,' she said. 'I think differently. I want to think better of the people who helped me care for my girls. These days, I just focus on rebuilding our relationship and making up for all the lost time.' Tearing up, Faradilla said she thought that because of her past mistakes, her relationship with her daughters would always be fractured, but that hasn't been the case. 'My girls see me pray, they see me less angry, they see me talk and mean what I say about my belief in God and getting better,' she said. 'They laugh with me, they open up with me about boys, friends, and family. They even want to stay with me.' All these moments with her daughters mean a lot to her and reassure Faradilla that getting better, no matter how challenging, is worth it. As a former drug addict, she acknowledges that the road away from addiction is always going to be challenging. Rehabilitation, dealing with relapses, reconciliation, all these take up much time and energy. 'I'll be honest, once you're in, it will be so, so hard to get out,' she admitted. 'But I also remember the days I couldn't sleep, the nights I was awake with paranoia, the time I was in prison and none of my loved ones were around, the anxiety I felt about being inside in case any of them passed away. 'These thoughts keep me going, even when it's hard,' she said. 'So no, it's not impossible and never too late to change. I never want anyone – even myself – to think that my past life was the only kind of life for me. 'In the halfway house, one of the quotes that stuck with me and will always keep me going is this: 'After the darkest chapter, there is a new page waiting to be written'.'
Borneo Post
15-06-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Rep: Outreach programmes help bridge healthcare gap for vulnerable communities
Yap visits the Kuching Autistic Association booth at the Medical Camp while accompanied by Manjeet (third right). KUCHING (June 16): Medical outreach programmes play a key role in improving healthcare access for vulnerable and underserved communities, said Wilfred Yap. The Kota Sentosa assemblyman said such initiatives helped bridge the gap for low-income families, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and those living in urban and rural areas with limited access to healthcare. 'The Sarawak government is committed to supporting public health initiatives like this Medical Camp 2025 organised by Pertubuhan PerkembanganInsan Sarawak (PPIS) and Lions Club Kuching Unity. 'We believe in promoting health awareness at the grassroots level, and we welcome collaborations between non-governmental organisations, private partners, and government agencies to ensure no one is left behind,' he said when officiating the event at CityONE Megamall here today. Touted as the largest healthcare outreach event ever held in Kuching, Medical Camp 2025 is expected to draw between 600 and 1,000 walk-in visitors seeking free services ranging from general health screenings and dental care to mental health support, nutrition consultations, and even alternative and traditional therapies. Yap said this initiative was more than just a gathering as it also serves as a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved when community, compassion, and care come together. 'The services offered today reflect true inclusivity. Everyone, regardless of background or status, deserves the right to quality care. 'By bringing free medical services directly to the people, especially those who face challenges accessing healthcare, this camp is a vital step toward more equitable and inclusive health coverage,' he said. He also lauded the event's holistic approach to well-being. Yap (second left) presents a certificate of appreciation to a representative from the Malaysia Red Crescent Sarawak Chapter while witnessed by Manjeet (left). 'From the stop-smoking clinic and cancer and autism awareness booths to Traditional Chinese Medicine, and support for mental health and learning differences like dyslexia, this event goes beyond treating illness. 'It promotes total wellness — physical, emotional, social, and even spiritual,' he said. Meanwhile, PPIS president and event organising chairperson Manjeet Kaur Sidhu said the event gathered over 40 participating partners and organisations including hospitals, pharmacies, welfare agencies, educational institutions and social enterprises, all dedicated to offering free, inclusive and accessible health services to the community. 'Our mission is to uplift lives and provide access to basic healthcare services particularly those who are often left out of the healthcare system. 'With the support of our partners and sponsors, we are not just saving lives; we are building a healthier, better-informed, and more compassionate Sarawak,' she said. community healthcare outreach programmes Wilfred Yap
Borneo Post
15-06-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Outreach programmes help bridge healthcare gap for vulnerable communities — Rep
Yap visits the Kuching Autistic Association booth at the Medical Camp while accompanied by Manjeet (third right). KUCHING (June 16): Medical outreach programmes play a key role in improving healthcare access for vulnerable and underserved communities, said Wilfred Yap. The Kota Sentosa assemblyman said such initiatives helped bridge the gap for low-income families, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and those living in urban and rural areas with limited access to healthcare. 'The Sarawak government is committed to supporting public health initiatives like this Medical Camp 2025 organised by Pertubuhan PerkembanganInsan Sarawak (PPIS) and Lions Club Kuching Unity. 'We believe in promoting health awareness at the grassroots level, and we welcome collaborations between non-governmental organisations, private partners, and government agencies to ensure no one is left behind,' he said when officiating the event at CityONE Megamall here today. Touted as the largest healthcare outreach event ever held in Kuching, Medical Camp 2025 is expected to draw between 600 and 1,000 walk-in visitors seeking free services ranging from general health screenings and dental care to mental health support, nutrition consultations, and even alternative and traditional therapies. Yap said this initiative was more than just a gathering as it also serves as a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved when community, compassion, and care come together. 'The services offered today reflect true inclusivity. Everyone, regardless of background or status, deserves the right to quality care. 'By bringing free medical services directly to the people, especially those who face challenges accessing healthcare, this camp is a vital step toward more equitable and inclusive health coverage,' he said. He also lauded the event's holistic approach to well-being. Yap (second left) presents a certificate of appreciation to a representative from the Malaysia Red Crescent Sarawak Chapter while witnessed by Manjeet (left). 'From the stop-smoking clinic and cancer and autism awareness booths to Traditional Chinese Medicine, and support for mental health and learning differences like dyslexia, this event goes beyond treating illness. 'It promotes total wellness — physical, emotional, social, and even spiritual,' he said. Meanwhile, PPIS president and event organising chairperson Manjeet Kaur Sidhu said the event gathered over 40 participating partners and organisations including hospitals, pharmacies, welfare agencies, educational institutions and social enterprises, all dedicated to offering free, inclusive and accessible health services to the community. 'Our mission is to uplift lives and provide access to basic healthcare services particularly those who are often left out of the healthcare system. 'With the support of our partners and sponsors, we are not just saving lives; we are building a healthier, better-informed, and more compassionate Sarawak,' she said. community healthcare outreach programmes Wilfred Yap
Borneo Post
08-06-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Health Camp to empower community through preventive care, free screenings
File photo for illustration purposes KUCHING (June 8): A free medical camp and health awareness programme will be held at CityONE Megamall, Jalan Song here this June 15, providing members of the public access to vital health screenings and educational activities. Organised by Pertubuhan Pembangunan Insan Sarawak (PPIS) and Lions Club of Kuching Unity (LCKU), the event will begin at 10am. This medical camp is open to all and seeks to raise awareness of key health issues through a wide range of free health screenings and wellness services, said the organisers in a statement. Among the lined-up activities are complimentary eye and dental checks, general health screenings, needling therapy, a blood donation drive, and organ donation pledge registration. 'There will also be free Hepatitis B and C vaccines,' said PPIS president Manjeet Sidhu, who emphasised the importance of early detection and awareness. 'Preventive care and awareness are the cornerstones of a healthy community. Through this medical camp, we hope to empower people to take charge of their health and understand the importance of regular check-ups,' she said. The camp is supported by a team of medical professionals, health agencies, and volunteers working together with a unified goal of improving public health in the community. For more information, contact PPIS on 014-6926123, visit the organisation's social media platforms, or inquire at CityONE Megamall on the day of the event. free health screening healthcare Pertubuhan Pembangunan Insan Sarawak
