Dear Reader,
I know this may not be the right or suitable place to make my
appeal but I am rather desperate. My name is Steven Lee and I am
looking for help, any kind of help. I know this is a familiar story
to many. I am at my wits' end and willing to try anything.
I am originally from Malaysia. My business crashed during the 1998
Asian economic crisis. I came to Singapore seeking a fresh start.
At the same time, I got to know a Singaporean girl who is my
fiancee now. I had a little money left, and with her support I
tried to get back into business. During the first few years,
everything looks promising and we were happy together.
In 2003 the economic downturn in Singapore started and business
started to get bad. I tried doing other things but was not able to
turn the situation around. I even tried applying for jobs but
nothing came out of it - nobody wants to hire a 40-year old guy
with no previous job experience. To start the business and sustain
it during the downturn, my fiancee used up her credit cards. She
has been working while trying to help me and the business.
Since 2003 it has been downhill all the way. We have used up all of
our money. My fiancee has a job but I am still looking for
something to do. We are now unable to even meet the minimum payment
demanded by the banks. We have tried unsuccessfully talking to the
banks. We are not shirking from our financial responsibilities. All
we asked for is to allow us to be able to repay within our
capabilities.
I am very much in love with my fiancee and it breaks my heart and
soul seeing her saddled with financial problems because she was
helping me. We stay in a rented room and after this month, we may
not be able to pay the rent to continue staying there.
I have tried borrowing from people that I know. Some were kind to
help out a bit but most say they have their own financial worries
and problems. My fiancee has done the same with her family, friends
and relatives, and I am ashamed to say that our financial problems
have caused some relatives and friends to shun her.
I am appealing for help from any kind soul. I am hoping and praying
someone could help us arrange with the banks to let us repay the
money we owe them at a monthly amount that is within our
capability. If there is someone with a spare room which they could
allow us to stay there for a while then there is one less money
worry every month. If there is any work for me to do which I could
earn some money, I would very much appreciate it.
I am not asking for cash donations or handouts, even though we are
in a very desperate situation. Although most people would think
otherwise, I would like to say that we will eventually repay every
cent that anyone lent to us. I am appealing to anyone because we
can't be embarassed any more than we are now.
If anyone wants to find out more or would like to contact me,
please email me at [email protected]
Thank you for your time reading.