A stranger funded Adriana Rasip’s education during secondary school-she never learned their identity. That act of faith shaped her life’s mission.
After a revealing internship at Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development, she shifted from policymaking to grassroots work. She saw that social assistance focused on survival, not long-term potential.
In 2022, she co-founded the Empowered Families Initiative (EFI) with Sonia Jalal and Palvindran Jayram. EFI invests in families’ goals-whether starting a home-based business, pursuing education, or saving for homeownership.
Families receive a S$1,500 grant and 1:2 savings matching. They create vision boards, set realistic targets, and join peer support groups.
EFI’s pilot was recognized by OECD’s OPSI and highlighted by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the 2025 National Day Rally.
One participant scaled her children’s clothing business into a weekly income of S$1,000 and now mentors others. Another upgraded his career through upskilling and is building toward homeownership.
Alumni volunteers from past cohorts guide new families-offering lived experience and credibility.
"It’s really about dignity," Rasip says. "They’re not just recipients-they’re agents of change."
