S'poreans raise over S$50,000 for wife & children of migrant worker who died at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital

The money will be used to ensure Alagu Periyakarrupan's daughters can continue their education.

Andrew Koay | May 03, 2020, 06:50 PM

Singaporeans have reached into their pockets to help the family of a migrant worker who died at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH).

Alagu Periyakarrupan was found lying motionless at a staircase landing in KTPH on Apr. 23. He succumbed to his injuries consistent with a fall from height on the same day.

The 46-year-old had been at the hospital for Apr. 19 after testing positive for Covid-19.

Now, an online campaign is seeking to raise funds for Alagu's wife and children.

At time of writing, S$54,178 has been donated to the cause, which is organised by member of parliament Louis Ng and Dipa Swaminathan from ItsRainingRaincoats, a local initiative that helps migrant workers.

Alagu's main goal

According to the campaign, Alagu was the family's sole breadwinner and had three daughters — the youngest of whom is six years old.

"His main goal in life was to ensure that his girls had a proper education. Everything he did, he did for them."

The money donated will be used to create secure fund for the family, read the campaign's description.

It will allow Alagu's daughters to continue their education and supply the family with regular income for the years ahead.

Funds raised will also be distributed to the families of Suppaiah Shanmuganathan and Subbiah Sivasanka. Both were migrant workers in Singapore and died recently of heart attacks.

Suppaiah had contracted Covid-19 before his death.

Providing for the families in their name

Writing in the campaign's description, Dipa acknowledged that no amount of money would compensate the families for their loss.

"The least we can do is ensure that the mission that brought these men here — to provide for their families — is accomplished in their name."

It was previously reported that Alagu's wife had considered becoming a coolie to support her elderly parents and three daughters.

However, ItsRainingRaincoats said that she would no longer have to, thanks to the "outpouring of sympathy".

You can contribute to the campaign here.

Top image from via ItsRainingRaincoats/Facebook and Give.asia