04.03.2026

Smiles Success Stories: Siti’s Journey From Helper in Singapore to Business Owner

Stories

Meet Siti!
Hardships and challenges that made you a stronger person
Proudest moment(s) since starting your journey living abroad
Life lessons and advice for living overseas
Join the Smiles Family
Be more inspired and read more success stories here

Smiles Mobile Remittance, known as Japan’s most popular global mobile money transfer service, is dedicated to supporting hardworking individuals who send money overseas to their families back home. Smiles help create a better life for people working abroad and promote peace and sustainability within the international community.

Loved by loyal customers since the beginning, Smiles is excited to “Share Smiles” by telling inspiring stories from users worldwide. These stories showcase how Smiles Mobile Remittance provides its service to people determined to achieve their dreams and support their loved ones, no matter where they are.

Meet Siti!

My name is Siti. I come from the Gunung Kawi area in Malang, East Java, a place known for its natural beauty and rich history. I am a single mother raising one daughter. For 21 years, I worked as a domestic helper in Singapore. I made the decision to work abroad to support my family, provide for my daughter, and help my parents. At that time, I had to leave my daughter behind when she was only four years old in hopes of giving her a better life.

Today, many years later, my daughter is all grown up. At the age of 25, she is now married and blessed with two children. Seeing her grow up and build a family of her own is the greatest reward for all the sacrifices I have made.

Hardships and challenges that made you a stronger person

One of the biggest challenges in my life while working in Singapore was having to leave my young daughter behind to earn a living. Those years were never easy. Every ounce of hard work, every tear and every moment of longing was driven by the hope that she would have a better life than I did.

I did everything I could to support her needs from milk and clothes to ensuring she received a proper education, even though distance separated us for many years. In the midst of my struggles, I am deeply grateful that during my time in Singapore, God placed me with kind and sincere employers.

For 19 years, I cared for their three children as if they were my own, watching them grow from toddlers into adults. There were many memories, laughter and life lessons shared with that family. When all three children eventually became independent, my journey continued with a new employer. All these experiences both joyful and painful shaped me into a stronger, more patient and more grateful person.

Proudest moment(s) since starting your journey living abroad

One of the most unforgettable moments in my life happened in 2014. That year, my friends and I came together to establish a religious study community at Wak Tanjong Mosque in Singapore. Our intention was simple: to fill our rest days with learning, reminding one another to do good and finding peace in the middle of our busy lives far from home.

From that small beginning, the PIS AL HIDAYAH community was born. By God’s grace, it has now grown significantly and has hundreds of members. Seeing this community flourish fills my heart with gratitude, as I witnessed firsthand how God multiplies goodness that comes from sincere intentions.

During my 21 years of working abroad, I never stopped being grateful. God gave me the strength to provide for my daughter and my family, even through tears and homesickness. Slowly, God opened one door after another. Through hard work, I was able to buy several plots of land and gardens, build the dream house I once only imagined, and start a business that has now grown and expanded into several branches in Indonesia.

Looking back, I realize that every step, every prayer, and every moment of patience brought me to where I am today. These achievements are not mine alone—they are the result of sacrifices, my family’s prayers, and God’s help that always came at the right time.

Life lessons and advice for living overseas

Living and working abroad is a long journey that tests not only your strength but also your resilience. In a foreign land, we learn that every struggle carries new hope and the power to change our lives. Not every day is easy. There are moments filled with longing, exhaustion, and the need to stay strong for the sake of the family who motivates us to keep going.

During our time in Singapore, we learn to stay alert, protect ourselves, and hold firmly to honesty. The trust given by our employers is more than just a job—it is a test of sincerity and integrity. Working with a sincere heart reflects who we are, and honesty opens the doors to countless blessings.

In the midst of the challenges of living far from home, taking care of our health and safety becomes essential because there are loved ones in Indonesia who wait for us with hope and prayer every single day.

In the end, this journey is not just about earning a living—it is about growing in maturity, strengthening our faith, and understanding that every drop of sweat will be rewarded by God at the most perfect time. We return home not only with income, but with dignity, valuable experiences, and life stories that will be remembered forever.

Join the Smiles Family

Smiles strives to “Share Smiles” all over the world and aims to connect migrant workers in the international community. To join the Smiles Family in Japan, Canada and/or Singapore and follow one of the Smiles Facebook fan pages: