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Homeless
Ten years ago, Liyana Dhamirah was in a precarious situation: at 22, she was heavily pregnant and had no place to call home.
For Liyana, home was often unstable. Once a bright teenager full of optimism, she faced uncertainty and found no support from family, government agencies and welfare groups. She had nowhere to go, no one to turn to. When she started living on a beach in Sembawang, she discovered a community of people—families—who were homeless just like her. They stuck together and watched out for each other, even when there were raids. She learned that in prosperous Singapore, the homeless are not always identifiable by appearance alone.
Months later, journalists eventually uncovered Liyana’s story and how she navigated a bureaucracy of obstacles. Today she is a successful entrepreneur and this is her memoir.
For Liyana, home was often unstable. Once a bright teenager full of optimism, she faced uncertainty and found no support from family, government agencies and welfare groups. She had nowhere to go, no one to turn to. When she started living on a beach in Sembawang, she discovered a community of people—families—who were homeless just like her. They stuck together and watched out for each other, even when there were raids. She learned that in prosperous Singapore, the homeless are not always identifiable by appearance alone.
Months later, journalists eventually uncovered Liyana’s story and how she navigated a bureaucracy of obstacles. Today she is a successful entrepreneur and this is her memoir.
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2019
24 people are currently reading
864 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
October 27, 2020
This is a hard book to review. I say that because it feels like it ran out of steam halfway through, and petered out a little bit. In reading the afterword, I could completely understand why that was the case. However, it did affect the book as a whole, and made it a little difficult to digest. I think this book is still incredibly important, however, as it makes sure that it goes into the structural inequalities and difficulties that are faced by those in Singapore. There's a lot to be learnt in this book, and it carries an incredible weight on its shoulders as it passes on the horrible knowledge that this can happen to any one of us.
I am so glad that the author now finds herself in a better spot, and managing her life very successfully. I can only hope the others in the park found the same sort of peace and success, especially given as it seems the government is willing to leave people behind.
I am so glad that the author now finds herself in a better spot, and managing her life very successfully. I can only hope the others in the park found the same sort of peace and success, especially given as it seems the government is willing to leave people behind.
June 7, 2021
It’s a little odd to rate this book given that it feels too close to home and I feel a personal obligation to rate it better due to the tribulations and trials my fellow Singaporean had fo go through. However, while it highlights harsh castaway truths of societal inequality, I feel like the author did not pursue enough basis and justification for the claims she had written. The narratives felt rather lackluster, stereotyped and typecast that it pulled the reader away from feeling genuinely sorry for her plight. Instead, I felt like plenty of those outcomes were really just results of poor decisions, self-pity and that unnecessary submission towards female roles such as unplanned motherhood and marriage.
Nonetheless the author definitely had good connections to getting her story published and heard. One word of advice if she were going to write a second novel, would be to write one that does not seem like a lengthy blog post but written with backed up research, detailed narratives and deep emotions. 100 pages just don’t do it for me, it was like a lunch break quickie that was too fast that I did not even feel pulled into the whole deal.
The only stars I thought she deserved was for getting herself together and walking out of that horrible plight singlehandedly. Hope life is much better now for her!
Nonetheless the author definitely had good connections to getting her story published and heard. One word of advice if she were going to write a second novel, would be to write one that does not seem like a lengthy blog post but written with backed up research, detailed narratives and deep emotions. 100 pages just don’t do it for me, it was like a lunch break quickie that was too fast that I did not even feel pulled into the whole deal.
The only stars I thought she deserved was for getting herself together and walking out of that horrible plight singlehandedly. Hope life is much better now for her!
October 2, 2019
This is such an important book and I'm so glad Liyana got it published. It's timely because the discourse on inequality and poverty has picked up this year in Singapore, and I really do hope this book gains traction.
Liyana details her life and her choices in this memoir, leading up to the period of her young adult life when she became pregnant and homeless, and eventually into happier times where she became her own boss at age 26 while being a mother of 3!
I love her crisp writing and her honest voice. She told her story unfalteringly and unashamedly, never overjustifying her choices or decisions, which shows strength, I think. Many around her - friends, family, and even complete strangers would have tried to tear her choices down. She's been let down many times by the state and its institutions. Yet she continued to trust in her own resilience and determination to seek what should be a right of hers - a place to live and financial stability for her and her children.
I think it is extremely important for everyone to read this - some of us to be validated and acknowledged for your struggles and your strength, some of us to reflect on our preconceived notions of certain issues.
This also rightfully brings to surface discussions we should be having and questions we should ask our country leaders - what basic human rights do Singaporeans have? Is meritocracy something that still works when there are children who are disadvantaged since birth? What sort of reforms are needed in our social service system and policing institutions in regards to people who need help? Why are we treating people who are homeless like criminals? What sort of basic provisions should a child have and why are we excluding them from participating in society because of their circumstances? I hope this conversation never derails (though knowing our country, this is most likely....) and continues to snowball into a focused effort on our part to have our demands as citizens recognised.
Liyana details her life and her choices in this memoir, leading up to the period of her young adult life when she became pregnant and homeless, and eventually into happier times where she became her own boss at age 26 while being a mother of 3!
I love her crisp writing and her honest voice. She told her story unfalteringly and unashamedly, never overjustifying her choices or decisions, which shows strength, I think. Many around her - friends, family, and even complete strangers would have tried to tear her choices down. She's been let down many times by the state and its institutions. Yet she continued to trust in her own resilience and determination to seek what should be a right of hers - a place to live and financial stability for her and her children.
I think it is extremely important for everyone to read this - some of us to be validated and acknowledged for your struggles and your strength, some of us to reflect on our preconceived notions of certain issues.
This also rightfully brings to surface discussions we should be having and questions we should ask our country leaders - what basic human rights do Singaporeans have? Is meritocracy something that still works when there are children who are disadvantaged since birth? What sort of reforms are needed in our social service system and policing institutions in regards to people who need help? Why are we treating people who are homeless like criminals? What sort of basic provisions should a child have and why are we excluding them from participating in society because of their circumstances? I hope this conversation never derails (though knowing our country, this is most likely....) and continues to snowball into a focused effort on our part to have our demands as citizens recognised.
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December 27, 2019not at all the point of this book but min Shan is a pos no spoilers
October 22, 2019
Liyana's story is unique in that no one has really written about homelessness in Singapore before. She's an incredibly strong and positive person with a genuinely inspiring attitude, and she is made even stronger by all the wonderful people she meets; a great amount of the good things that happened to her were thanks to unexpected encounters and the kindness of strangers. Her story is intense yet enjoyable to read, as she remains optimistic and amitious throughout all her struggles.
The one thing I didn't enjoy about this book was the writing. It feels quite rough and in need of some serious polishing, and I found it very dramatic at times. I would still recommend this book however - it tackles an important issue that isn't really talked about, and the author is an admirable person whose voice deserves to be heard.
The one thing I didn't enjoy about this book was the writing. It feels quite rough and in need of some serious polishing, and I found it very dramatic at times. I would still recommend this book however - it tackles an important issue that isn't really talked about, and the author is an admirable person whose voice deserves to be heard.
October 10, 2020
Thought it will be a story of learning, reflection and persevering through the odds. However, I got the nagging notion that the author implied she was being cast all the bad lots, bad husband, poor support system, insufficiency of the government agencies...... and how with the author’s perseverance and help from some parties, she overcame these. No doubt there are holes to be filled to make things better for people in need, but shouldn’t the choices we made, whether knowingly or unknowingly be part of the equation to how things eventually turned out? Without that missing piece, that ability to look back and self-reflect, the author and/ or the book lost the golden opportunity to inspire. I thought I was going through someone’s ranting and self-reassurance. Nonetheless, wish everything goes well for the author and her family from now on.
July 17, 2020
There is a difference between choosing to be homeless, and structural inequality. I acknowledge the existence of structural poverty, but the narrative in this book is not it. It is a love story that didn’t end the way the author wanted it to be, and being homeless is one of the choices that she made to pursue it.
May 31, 2025
Some of the 1 or 2-star ratings on this book are miserable people who don't believe anyone deserves help and lack basic empathy. Yes the author made bad choices, but I feel that the message of the book was more about how poverty compounds those bad choices and how Singapore's system is very unforgiving of mistakes. They were choices that I believe, if made by a richer person, would not have resulted in the same hardship Liyana faced.
"Why did Liyana sleep with her already unfaithful husband and have another baby when he was also often unemployed? She's stupid and this is her own fault!!!" Bro HOW MANY women, rich or poor, have stayed with a shitty partner? Have tried to have a baby to save their marriage? (Although Liyana did not state explicitly that this was her intention). It is easy to stand as a bystander and posture from a feminist pedestal say she's dumb for "submitting to gender roles" (a real review I read) but life is not lived as a performance of feminist theory. The point is we should be able to make mistakes and bounce back from them and that Singapore's welfare system, or lack thereof, makes that extra difficult.
I appreciated the firsthand review of Singapore's "many helping hands" system that pinballs one between VWOs, CDCs, FSCs, NGOs and all kinds of other acronyms and the inefficiency and heartlessness of the bureaucratic system. I do feel that towards the end Liyana appeared to somewhat valorise her "go-getter" attitude being the ultimate reason she was able to overcome her hardships, instead of rightfully criticising the lack of systemic safeguards for the less fortunate. Nonetheless, I wish her all the best and hope to see her as an MP under the Red Dot United banner in the future.
(Also, the funniest point this book raises is that Min Shan is a pos. His email was so fking pettyyyy)
"Why did Liyana sleep with her already unfaithful husband and have another baby when he was also often unemployed? She's stupid and this is her own fault!!!" Bro HOW MANY women, rich or poor, have stayed with a shitty partner? Have tried to have a baby to save their marriage? (Although Liyana did not state explicitly that this was her intention). It is easy to stand as a bystander and posture from a feminist pedestal say she's dumb for "submitting to gender roles" (a real review I read) but life is not lived as a performance of feminist theory. The point is we should be able to make mistakes and bounce back from them and that Singapore's welfare system, or lack thereof, makes that extra difficult.
I appreciated the firsthand review of Singapore's "many helping hands" system that pinballs one between VWOs, CDCs, FSCs, NGOs and all kinds of other acronyms and the inefficiency and heartlessness of the bureaucratic system. I do feel that towards the end Liyana appeared to somewhat valorise her "go-getter" attitude being the ultimate reason she was able to overcome her hardships, instead of rightfully criticising the lack of systemic safeguards for the less fortunate. Nonetheless, I wish her all the best and hope to see her as an MP under the Red Dot United banner in the future.
(Also, the funniest point this book raises is that Min Shan is a pos. His email was so fking pettyyyy)
April 17, 2021
such an honest and important read?!!?!? homeless is written by liyana dhamirah with two friends – it is a tribute to her “unconventional path” in life and it is a source of guidance for those in similar predicaments.
for three months of her life in 2009, liyana lived out of a small blue tent at sembawang park while she was pregnant.
felt so many things as i was reading this book, mostly frustration for what was happening to liyana. ahhhh even got more frustrated knowing the fact that homelessness is quite a big issue in singapore even up till today. its really brave of liyana to share her story and its one of the reasons that i really admire about her. with her determination and “never give up” spirit, she managed to get proper help after all the things she has been through.
after reading about her journey, i cant help but to sort of relate in a spiritual level too – indeed, Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear” (quran 2:286). honestly shed a tear ((im just an emotional child ok)) when i was reading the appeal letter where finally, her story was heard. like she finally deserves the help???
the way liyana prioritizes her family and still doing good to people around her is worth the mention. it also made me realize the importance of helping others. the power of good deeds and treating people as you like to be treated. i always believe in doing good with good intentions and not expecting anything in return.
this book is so precious, thank you so much liyana for giving back despite what you yourself are going through. for staying strong, and for being you. its all worth it in the end.
for three months of her life in 2009, liyana lived out of a small blue tent at sembawang park while she was pregnant.
felt so many things as i was reading this book, mostly frustration for what was happening to liyana. ahhhh even got more frustrated knowing the fact that homelessness is quite a big issue in singapore even up till today. its really brave of liyana to share her story and its one of the reasons that i really admire about her. with her determination and “never give up” spirit, she managed to get proper help after all the things she has been through.
after reading about her journey, i cant help but to sort of relate in a spiritual level too – indeed, Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear” (quran 2:286). honestly shed a tear ((im just an emotional child ok)) when i was reading the appeal letter where finally, her story was heard. like she finally deserves the help???
the way liyana prioritizes her family and still doing good to people around her is worth the mention. it also made me realize the importance of helping others. the power of good deeds and treating people as you like to be treated. i always believe in doing good with good intentions and not expecting anything in return.
this book is so precious, thank you so much liyana for giving back despite what you yourself are going through. for staying strong, and for being you. its all worth it in the end.
June 23, 2021
✨ "My aspirations to continue my studies and become a lawyer were still alive and kicking. However, so was a baby in my womb."
June 24, 2020
Book Review: Homeless by Liyana Dhamirah
Finished this riveting book at about 2am in one sitting! Homeless is a thought-provoking, honest read about experiencing homelessness in Singapore. It’s also about the concept of ‘home’ and about the choices we make, as individuals, as a society, as a state, and how they greatly impact the lives of those around us.
In Homeless, Liyana tells her story from childhood up to the present day. Although Liyana topped her class for PSLEs and dreamed of becoming a lawyer, she led a difficult and challenging life - her parents divorced when she was young and were often absent. The financial situation was difficult and Liyana didn’t have any lunch money.
Later, she formed a dance group with friends and helped to bring money home for her family. Things took a turn for the worse when she mixed with the wrong group of people, was drugged and sexually assaulted.
Her family had problems securing housing and she had a few unplanned pregnancies. Given their youth, she and her ex-husband were tricked by an agent and lost their home and money. Liyana found herself kicked out of her in-law’s home, pregnant and living in a tent at Sembawang Beach, often living on a few dollars and the kindness of strangers who also lived at the beach.
She tried reaching out to authorities about her situation but to no avail, and struggled for two years to get a divorce from her deadbeat, cheating, disappearing former husband.
But through sheer luck of bumping into journalists who helped her write letters, and her own hard work and determination, she found temporary housing, held down several jobs, started her own businesses, met a reliable husband who loved her and her three children, and finally found a home she could call her own.
Homeless is a great reminder that things are not always within our control (and life is unfair), and for those that are, it’s so important to listen to one’s intuition, otherwise, we can sometimes end up haunted by our decisions for a long time.
@homeless.sg is available from @kinokuniya_singapore, @epigrambooks and all good bookstores ⛺️
Finished this riveting book at about 2am in one sitting! Homeless is a thought-provoking, honest read about experiencing homelessness in Singapore. It’s also about the concept of ‘home’ and about the choices we make, as individuals, as a society, as a state, and how they greatly impact the lives of those around us.
In Homeless, Liyana tells her story from childhood up to the present day. Although Liyana topped her class for PSLEs and dreamed of becoming a lawyer, she led a difficult and challenging life - her parents divorced when she was young and were often absent. The financial situation was difficult and Liyana didn’t have any lunch money.
Later, she formed a dance group with friends and helped to bring money home for her family. Things took a turn for the worse when she mixed with the wrong group of people, was drugged and sexually assaulted.
Her family had problems securing housing and she had a few unplanned pregnancies. Given their youth, she and her ex-husband were tricked by an agent and lost their home and money. Liyana found herself kicked out of her in-law’s home, pregnant and living in a tent at Sembawang Beach, often living on a few dollars and the kindness of strangers who also lived at the beach.
She tried reaching out to authorities about her situation but to no avail, and struggled for two years to get a divorce from her deadbeat, cheating, disappearing former husband.
But through sheer luck of bumping into journalists who helped her write letters, and her own hard work and determination, she found temporary housing, held down several jobs, started her own businesses, met a reliable husband who loved her and her three children, and finally found a home she could call her own.
Homeless is a great reminder that things are not always within our control (and life is unfair), and for those that are, it’s so important to listen to one’s intuition, otherwise, we can sometimes end up haunted by our decisions for a long time.
@homeless.sg is available from @kinokuniya_singapore, @epigrambooks and all good bookstores ⛺️
March 10, 2023
Ten years ago, Liyana Dhamirah was unlike any other 22-year-old girl of her age. Living in one of the richest countries in the world in utter and abject poverty came with its own challenges. Ten years ago, she had no proper food to eat, and no home to shelter herself and her unborn baby. She was poor and she was all alone.
Homeless is the story of Liyana’s life and her journey from being a poor homeless woman to a successful entrepreneur.
All of 144 pages, Homeless is a short and effortless read that can be read in a sitting or two. However, this effortlessness comes from simple writing. The subject itself is quite heavy and there may come a time when the reader feels so heavy with the burden of Liyana’s sorrows and hardships, that she may like to take a break just to detach herself from the pain that seeps from those pages.
Read my detailed review on India's No. 1 Book blog - https://www.bookgeeks.in/homeless-liy...
Homeless is the story of Liyana’s life and her journey from being a poor homeless woman to a successful entrepreneur.
All of 144 pages, Homeless is a short and effortless read that can be read in a sitting or two. However, this effortlessness comes from simple writing. The subject itself is quite heavy and there may come a time when the reader feels so heavy with the burden of Liyana’s sorrows and hardships, that she may like to take a break just to detach herself from the pain that seeps from those pages.
Read my detailed review on India's No. 1 Book blog - https://www.bookgeeks.in/homeless-liy...
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April 19, 2021I don't know how to review this book because on one hand this is the authors lived experience and the book is not poorly written.
On the other hand, I found it boring and lacking substance. But it's her life explained.
So I don't know.
On the other hand, I found it boring and lacking substance. But it's her life explained.
So I don't know.
October 14, 2020
Rating: 4.25/5 stars
I can tell that Liyana poured her heart out writing this book. This book is honest, inspiring and moving.
With all the hype over Crazy Rich Asians in Hollywood media, it's important for people to acknowledge the other end of the Singapore's wealth spectrum. Prior to this, I always wondered how the people cope with the fast-paced nation especially from the eyes of the homeless. As soon as I knew of this book's existence (which was pretty late, by the way - my first purchase from recently-discovered Epigram!), I knew I had to pick it up (it getting awards gave me the extra push I needed).
Liyana took a slightly different approach in getting out of poverty. Not necessarily unconventional. Part of it was through social media/new media entrepreneurship, which I honestly have not read much/have not seen or read anyone going through it, but I knew existed. So this is definitely refreshing for me personally.
An inspiring, simple read overall. Thank you Liyana for sharing your story.
I can tell that Liyana poured her heart out writing this book. This book is honest, inspiring and moving.
With all the hype over Crazy Rich Asians in Hollywood media, it's important for people to acknowledge the other end of the Singapore's wealth spectrum. Prior to this, I always wondered how the people cope with the fast-paced nation especially from the eyes of the homeless. As soon as I knew of this book's existence (which was pretty late, by the way - my first purchase from recently-discovered Epigram!), I knew I had to pick it up (it getting awards gave me the extra push I needed).
Liyana took a slightly different approach in getting out of poverty. Not necessarily unconventional. Part of it was through social media/new media entrepreneurship, which I honestly have not read much/have not seen or read anyone going through it, but I knew existed. So this is definitely refreshing for me personally.
An inspiring, simple read overall. Thank you Liyana for sharing your story.
May 4, 2025
In any society,there are cracks to slip through, opportunities to lose, faceless entities to be rebuffed by. In this intimate account, we see a side not typically thought about in Singapore. Read without prejudice, just listen.
Liyana is now working for AWARE and ran in the Singapore General Election of 2025, under the banner of Ravi Philemon’s party Red Dot United, which advocates for a more compassionate society.
Civil society identifies gaps which inevitably appear in a capitalist society. It’s important to hear what they have to say to build a better country.
Ebook from Amazon Kindle.
Liyana is now working for AWARE and ran in the Singapore General Election of 2025, under the banner of Ravi Philemon’s party Red Dot United, which advocates for a more compassionate society.
Civil society identifies gaps which inevitably appear in a capitalist society. It’s important to hear what they have to say to build a better country.
Ebook from Amazon Kindle.
November 13, 2020
Liyana is an admirable lady. She persevered against all adversities coming her way. She didn’t wait around, she tried her best to change her condition.
I also think that when one read this book, read it with empathy. It’s easy to pass judgement when we are not in her shoes. And this book also gives light that even though you are able bodied or educated, adversities such as what Liyana went through could befall you. And what would you do? Would you just wallow or would you do what Liyana did?
This is a such a good read but I think the ending is a bit abrupt. Otherwise, a good book!
I also think that when one read this book, read it with empathy. It’s easy to pass judgement when we are not in her shoes. And this book also gives light that even though you are able bodied or educated, adversities such as what Liyana went through could befall you. And what would you do? Would you just wallow or would you do what Liyana did?
This is a such a good read but I think the ending is a bit abrupt. Otherwise, a good book!
March 21, 2021
You can tell this story is told straight from the heart. Liyana Dhamirah’s short memoir on poverty and homelessness in Singapore seems like an unlikely tale of frustration, bad luck, lost opportunities and resilience only if you’ve chosen to close your eyes to the stark income inequality that permeates Singapore society. These kinds of stories are everywhere. The amazing thing is Liyana is the first to tell a story like this so openly and honestly in this format. She demonstrates so clearly the particularities of what poor looks like in Singapore and what can cause someone to become homeless here. Yet she tells it with so much grace and a lack of judgement on anyone else. I was really struck by the structural problems that were highlighted in her story. The way that, when you’re poor, just one wrong decision or one unfortunate event can throw you into crisis because there is nothing to buffer your fall. I have so many questions about how we as a society deal with these sorts of situations. Why is a 16-yr-old punished doubly for getting pregnant by being kicked out of school and disallowed from sitting for a key exam? Why do we subject people to the degrading and convoluted process of sitting through endless Meet The People sessions? How can we serve the poor rather than mire them in bureaucracy? One danger of a successful story like this is unnecessary judgement on those who continue to be stuck in the cycle of poverty. Liyana’s approach is laudable - she continues to emphasise the need to support anyone trying to break out of that cycle, and has worked to do so herself.
January 3, 2020
I love this book for its refreshing honesty and how it follows her life, mistakes, successes. More than anything, it tells us there are homeless people here in Singapore and that sometimes, we (you define we here) don’t often get to see it and there are little to no help sometimes. A good book to complement this would be Teo You Yenn’s This is what inequality looks like.
September 8, 2019
“‘Consider yourself lucky,’ I kept telling myself. ‘It could be worse.’” And this was Liyana counting her blessings after just being chased out of her former mother-in-law’s flat and arriving at Sembawang Beach, pregnant, on Hari Raya Puasa. This page-turner of a memoir grips you not only with Liyana’s never-ending misfortunes, but also with her strong go-getter spirit and independent problem-solving personality that have attracted and kept the right people with her in the long run. Seared with love, community and proof that sustained activism can change lives for the better, Homeless will make you realise that a real home isn’t just a physical entity, but the endurance and tenacity of love (including loving yourself), failing and failing better, and the peace and stability of true community and fellowship in one’s personal and professional lives. A must-read for anyone seeking to understand the human behind the ‘homeless’ label, how clinical systems can punish humans who already are trying their best to survive unobtrusively, and the creative entrepreneur born out of ashes.
December 17, 2020
The writing is simple but still conveys the desperation and anguish Liyana felt. An important read for anyone with a vested interest in Singapore that highlights hidden social justice issues within the country. An honest, real story of human loss & triumph without smoothing over the unpleasantness for the sake of a happier story.
October 16, 2019
It was a shock to me that someone as educated and eloquent as Liyana still had to struggle so to secure temporary housing. What more for those illiterate and vulnerable people who don’t even know how or who to approach?
August 9, 2025
Am not sure how but I chanced upon an interview or short clip of Liyana Dhamirah talking about her experience of being homeless and about the book she had written. It piqued my interest, so I sought the book out. It was an easy read, but one that offered a fair amount of insights and got me reflecting.
Her origin story spans the first nine chapters, showing how her parents’ and family members’ decisions impacted her own life. It also highlights how one’s self-perception can determine whether they thrive or falter. While there were choices at every juncture, circumstances and emotions heavily influenced her decisions. She began as a very hopeful and positive young girl, but a series of unfortunate events gradually built walls around her, leaving her more jaded. By the end of the ninth chapter, the story circles back to the opening scene where she is pregnant and living in a tent in Sembawang Park, homeless.
The subsequent chapters delve into Singapore’s systems and the realities of the homeless community. A few key points stood out to me:
1. The role of individuals within the system matters. Regardless of how robust or limited the Government’s systems may be, the officers on the ground make a real difference. While they may not be able to resolve every issue, empathy (by giving time, patience, and understanding) can make a world of difference. Often, what someone needs most is a glimpse of hope, and that doesn’t require a policy or funding, but just a heart.
2. Non-governmental efforts are vital. Beyond the Government, individuals and NGOs help plug the gaps by raising issues through the right channels, without antagonising or publicly shaming the system. While our system isn’t perfect, it can be improved, and civil society plays an important bridging role. In Singapore, trust between the Government and the community (including the NGOs / Civil Society) is key to making that work.
3. The scale of homelessness is underreported. There are more homeless people in Singapore than official figures suggest. Liyana noted a significant proportion were Malay, which surprised me. I had assumed that, as a member of the Chinese majority, my community might be more prone to such situations given we are generally less communal in offering mutual support compared to the Malay community.
4. The difference between a house and a home. While living in a tent at the park, she felt a genuine sense of belonging within a supportive community among the other homeless folks. They supported one another and kept her heart and mind warm. In contrast, when she finally received an HDB flat (shared with two other families), the atmosphere was cold and distant. Interaction was minimal, reduced to negotiating schedules to avoid inconveniencing one another. She still longed to return to the park to catch up with her old friends. A house is a structure; a home is the people you share it with.
5. Mental resilience is essential. Whatever the motivation to move forward, mental strength is critical. She could have given up (as many might) blaming the bad hand she was dealt. Instead, she kept going.
I particularly enjoyed the ending chapters, as they provided an update on her life, which by then, I was deeply invested in her journey. She had met a better partner, built her own business, and through this book, now inspires others to persevere. Often, those who truly need help keep to themselves, trying to work things out quietly, while we sometimes see others exploiting the system with a sense of entitlement. I understand why people make comments like, “They had a choice, but chose otherwise.”; because when individuals with genuine intentions to help repeatedly encounter those who abuse the system, it’s natural for them to eventually feel discouraged and give up on offering help.
We are all made differently, so there will never be a perfect way to weed out those who abuse the system. Still, society as a whole needs to be more gracious, patient, and empathetic, especially towards those in genuine need. Even for those labelled “lazy”, perhaps we should take the time to listen. That way, we can build a more inclusive, progressive, and happier Singapore that everyone is proud to call home.
Her origin story spans the first nine chapters, showing how her parents’ and family members’ decisions impacted her own life. It also highlights how one’s self-perception can determine whether they thrive or falter. While there were choices at every juncture, circumstances and emotions heavily influenced her decisions. She began as a very hopeful and positive young girl, but a series of unfortunate events gradually built walls around her, leaving her more jaded. By the end of the ninth chapter, the story circles back to the opening scene where she is pregnant and living in a tent in Sembawang Park, homeless.
The subsequent chapters delve into Singapore’s systems and the realities of the homeless community. A few key points stood out to me:
1. The role of individuals within the system matters. Regardless of how robust or limited the Government’s systems may be, the officers on the ground make a real difference. While they may not be able to resolve every issue, empathy (by giving time, patience, and understanding) can make a world of difference. Often, what someone needs most is a glimpse of hope, and that doesn’t require a policy or funding, but just a heart.
2. Non-governmental efforts are vital. Beyond the Government, individuals and NGOs help plug the gaps by raising issues through the right channels, without antagonising or publicly shaming the system. While our system isn’t perfect, it can be improved, and civil society plays an important bridging role. In Singapore, trust between the Government and the community (including the NGOs / Civil Society) is key to making that work.
3. The scale of homelessness is underreported. There are more homeless people in Singapore than official figures suggest. Liyana noted a significant proportion were Malay, which surprised me. I had assumed that, as a member of the Chinese majority, my community might be more prone to such situations given we are generally less communal in offering mutual support compared to the Malay community.
4. The difference between a house and a home. While living in a tent at the park, she felt a genuine sense of belonging within a supportive community among the other homeless folks. They supported one another and kept her heart and mind warm. In contrast, when she finally received an HDB flat (shared with two other families), the atmosphere was cold and distant. Interaction was minimal, reduced to negotiating schedules to avoid inconveniencing one another. She still longed to return to the park to catch up with her old friends. A house is a structure; a home is the people you share it with.
5. Mental resilience is essential. Whatever the motivation to move forward, mental strength is critical. She could have given up (as many might) blaming the bad hand she was dealt. Instead, she kept going.
I particularly enjoyed the ending chapters, as they provided an update on her life, which by then, I was deeply invested in her journey. She had met a better partner, built her own business, and through this book, now inspires others to persevere. Often, those who truly need help keep to themselves, trying to work things out quietly, while we sometimes see others exploiting the system with a sense of entitlement. I understand why people make comments like, “They had a choice, but chose otherwise.”; because when individuals with genuine intentions to help repeatedly encounter those who abuse the system, it’s natural for them to eventually feel discouraged and give up on offering help.
We are all made differently, so there will never be a perfect way to weed out those who abuse the system. Still, society as a whole needs to be more gracious, patient, and empathetic, especially towards those in genuine need. Even for those labelled “lazy”, perhaps we should take the time to listen. That way, we can build a more inclusive, progressive, and happier Singapore that everyone is proud to call home.
January 19, 2021
In this memoir, Liyana Dhamirah tells her story of how she came to be homeless in Singapore, pregnant and living in a tent in Sembawang Park with her husband. Yes, homeless in Singapore, the country where approximately 90 percent of Singaporeans own their own homes.
It's a complicated story as you would expect; a combination of unfortunate circumstances - like when her parents divorced when Liyana was 12, plunging Liyana and her siblings into housing instability when her mother struggled to provide for the family, and when Liyana was raped as a teenager after passing out at a chalet - and poor choices.
After her mother-in-law throws them out, Liyana and her husband Fazli are forced to camp at Sembawang Beach. There, she finds a community of people who, for various reasons, are also homeless. They become her de facto family, as they look out for and look after each other. Liyana describes her efforts to get help so that she, Fazli and their two older children (living in JB with her mother) can have a proper home - the fruitless visits to the family service centre where the social worker can only offer her food rations, her unsuccessful attempts to meet her MP in person and finally, a visit to the Family Services unit of the then-Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports which utterly defeats her. I get it - Mr Tan, the social worker she meets at MCYS, probably isn't a bad person. He's probably worn down from decades of trying to help more people than there are resources for, some of whom don't seem to want to help themselves or who want to game the system. But Liyana's account is an important reminder of how overwhelming it is for the vulnerable in society when they have to navigate institutions, how the power distance can leave one feeling defeated and their dignity violated.
Liyana's story has a happy ending. She even stood for elections in 2020, albeit unsuccessfully, to serve as a voice for the marginalised in society. It would have been interesting to hear her voice in Parliament, to hear the stories of those we often don't notice or pay attention to.
It's a complicated story as you would expect; a combination of unfortunate circumstances - like when her parents divorced when Liyana was 12, plunging Liyana and her siblings into housing instability when her mother struggled to provide for the family, and when Liyana was raped as a teenager after passing out at a chalet - and poor choices.
After her mother-in-law throws them out, Liyana and her husband Fazli are forced to camp at Sembawang Beach. There, she finds a community of people who, for various reasons, are also homeless. They become her de facto family, as they look out for and look after each other. Liyana describes her efforts to get help so that she, Fazli and their two older children (living in JB with her mother) can have a proper home - the fruitless visits to the family service centre where the social worker can only offer her food rations, her unsuccessful attempts to meet her MP in person and finally, a visit to the Family Services unit of the then-Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports which utterly defeats her. I get it - Mr Tan, the social worker she meets at MCYS, probably isn't a bad person. He's probably worn down from decades of trying to help more people than there are resources for, some of whom don't seem to want to help themselves or who want to game the system. But Liyana's account is an important reminder of how overwhelming it is for the vulnerable in society when they have to navigate institutions, how the power distance can leave one feeling defeated and their dignity violated.
Liyana's story has a happy ending. She even stood for elections in 2020, albeit unsuccessfully, to serve as a voice for the marginalised in society. It would have been interesting to hear her voice in Parliament, to hear the stories of those we often don't notice or pay attention to.
June 16, 2021
Homeless is an important read that gives a voice to the marginalised and invisible community in Singapore; it's a personal account that allows us readers to better understand the different obstacles (e.g., gaps in the social service system, lack of understanding and empathy from those in positions of power etc.) one faces when trying to attain something as 'simple' as a home, detailing the powerlessness one feels when on the other end of the spectrum. While Liyana's account also highlights the kindness of others, it's not enough to just takeaway 'kindness' as the message of this book, but rather, to work towards improving the system that had let this community fall through the gaps in the first place.
I read this in one sitting and I highly rec complementing this read with This Is What Inequality Looks Like by Teo You Yenn (if you haven't already heard of it), since one provides a firsthand account of their experiences while the other explores the complex problems of the marginalised through ethnographic research.
I read this in one sitting and I highly rec complementing this read with This Is What Inequality Looks Like by Teo You Yenn (if you haven't already heard of it), since one provides a firsthand account of their experiences while the other explores the complex problems of the marginalised through ethnographic research.
November 21, 2020
I thought this ended rather abruptly and I would have loved to learn more of Liyana's experiences in the various start-ups and other ventures that helped her become financially stable again. But I digress, this was a wonderful memoir - was it an eye-opener? Not really. The issue of the homeless in crazy rich Singapore has always been there on the back burner, inequality, injustices, whatever vice you can name, the glittering and glamorous island nation is not spared, they're just better at hiding them. What really struck me was the author's perseverance and hard work, really, being heavily pregnant while battling a series of life's adversities like that would break most people, having given up on all hope and whatnot. Yet Liyana pulled through despite everything, and that my friends, is amazing.
April 4, 2022
Liyana's memoir sheds light onto the often untold sides of Singapore, more specifically the issues of homelessness and poverty. Admittedly, as someone from a vastly different background and with the privilege of comfort and stability in my home country, there are several decisions and experiences that Liyana had made and gone through that I failed to understand or relate to. Even so, I admire her grit in the face of adversity and her courage for sharing her story, and I am glad that her family eventually managed to get the help they needed and deserved.
December 23, 2020
I've nothing but deep admiration for her character that had the tenacity and grit to overcome the numerous hills she's had to climb. In a country as rich as Singapore, there should be no rough sleepers and seriously there shouldn't be 11 people in 3 room flat, even if it's a shelter.
January 29, 2020
An inspirational testimony of strength, resilience, and grit. It is also extremely eye-opening to hear the recount of how life is like for a real homeless family in crazy rich Singapore. It's also a wake-up call to authorities on how situations like Liyana's should be handled. Should urgent action only be taken when the leaders at the top hear about it? While people on the ground are extremely important to relay information (as in Liyana's case), there are several agencies and services on the front line that can be as effective (but unfortunately weren't).
Homeless also raises a note to self: if I am ever given a leadership position - don't only stick to legalistic terms and conditions on paper, have empathy and hear the full story from the individual.
While Liyana may have gone through turmoil in her earlier years, it's heartwarming to know that she has found her happiness after the storm. It's truly God's grace that allowed the necessary people to hear her story to help her regain her independence and stability.
Homeless also raises a note to self: if I am ever given a leadership position - don't only stick to legalistic terms and conditions on paper, have empathy and hear the full story from the individual.
While Liyana may have gone through turmoil in her earlier years, it's heartwarming to know that she has found her happiness after the storm. It's truly God's grace that allowed the necessary people to hear her story to help her regain her independence and stability.
August 4, 2020
If you need a personification of the word resilient, then Liyanah is totally that. Reading about her struggles and all that she went through, I’m just amazed at her positivity and efforts to make it work no matter what.
Highly recommended read.
Highly recommended read.
November 12, 2022
Moving and urgent. I only wish she had concluded the book by updating us on the fate of those fellow homeless who were all part of the “resident” kampong community formed on Sembawang beach.
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