Gen Y Speaks: I became a delivery driver to support my kids as a single mum. I didn’t expect to fall in love with the job

Being a mother is a balancing act — but for a single mother, that challenge gets multiplied by a few hundred times.
When my role as a homemaker ended upon separating from my ex-husband a few years back, I knew I had to step up and become the primary provider for my three children. As a mother, you’ll do anything for your kids. I considered various options, like taking a full-time desk job, but I knew it would be tough to balance such work and my children.
That’s why, armed with a driver’s licence and a knack for driving, I decided to take up delivery as a job. I found a position at a delivery firm, but that unfortunately folded towards the end of 2021. The abrupt closure left me jobless once again, frustrated about how I would now provide for my kids.
In my time of turmoil, a close friend suggested that I try out Lalamove.
I was initially sceptical, but upon learning about the company’s offer of lower car rental rates, 25 per cent fuel discounts and weekly pay-outs, I decided to jump on it. At that point, what did I have to lose?
It also made sense to work in a job that kept me behind the wheel while giving me some flexibility.
I rented a car and went through the onboarding and training, which was all done online and was much easier to follow than I’d expected. After two days, I was ready to hit the roads as a Lalamove driver-partner.
I told myself: “Let’s just try it for a month.”
After just three weeks, I realised the job’s potential to secure my family’s financial needs — and I haven’t looked back since.
Of my three children, I take care of two under my custody while continuing to provide maintenance for my first. My younger ones — a lively six-year-old son and an adorable three-year-old daughter — fill my life with immense joy and playfulness.
While my job offers plenty of flexibility, I still follow a well-kept routine by starting work at 9.30am or 10am after finishing my morning errands, which include sending my kids to kindergarten and childcare.
I buy food from hawker centres and usually have lunch in the vehicle while searching and waiting for my next customer.
Because I work six days a week, I cherish every moment with my children and prioritise the rest of my time for them. Be it a trip to the playground or cosy movie nights at home, the quality time we have together is extremely precious to me.
In 2018, my son was diagnosed with a flesh-eating bacteria known as Group A streptococcus. What started as a mark as small as a mosquito bite turned into a lifelong health commitment.
My son’s health crisis involved weeks in the hospital, some of which were spent in the intensive care unit. This year, he went through a below-knee amputation, learning to walk with his new prosthetic leg while undergoing regular physiotherapy.
My child’s welfare became my top priority during this time, and I was determined to find a way to balance work and care for him. I started bringing him along on my deliveries when needed, ensuring he was occupied with books and toys.
Interestingly, customers at pickup points almost never questioned his presence. Instead, they would often engage with him, making us feel welcomed and supported.
There were days when my son was in pain and I couldn’t fulfil a full seven-hour shift, but the relief of being able to be there for him while at work was priceless. Being able to take days off and plan my schedule around deliveries is something I couldn’t have achieved in other lines of work such as a nine-to-five.
While driving is my passion, I genuinely do enjoy the delivery process as well.
I’m all about getting things done, ticking off the boxes on checklists in my head, no matter if they are chores, errands or deliveries.
The people I encounter on the job make it an enriching one as well. I have fond memories of frequenting a fruit stall, picking up durians and mangosteens for eager customers. The stall owners relished working with me, sharing cheerful banters, doing small talk, and asking about my well-being as they entrusted me with their deliveries.
I find that there is something profoundly heartwarming about the act of bringing people the things they need, right to their doorstep. I’m not just delivering packages; I’m delivering sustenance for Singaporeans, one package at a time.
Of course, there are challenging days in my delivery journey where frustration takes hold — but even these are valuable moments that have significantly enhanced my sense of empathy.
We are all humans, and we all have our rough days where we aren’t at our best. These experiences have taught me to extend patience and empathy to people I meet each day, even if I may only encounter them for a moment.
Being a present mother remains extremely important to me. Having lost my own mother a few years ago, I vowed to be there for my children in their times of need. I want them to feel secure and supported as they navigate the whirlwind of life and grow into their own persons.
In this, the little things are so important: For example, I deeply cherish the moments when I can step into my kitchen, don my apron, and whip up a home-cooked meal. Two or three times a week, I become both the delivery hero and the family chef.
Despite the double standards and stigma that remain prevalent for single mothers like me, we find a way to reach a new level of resilience and strength every day. We embrace our roles as both providers and caregivers, serving as both father and mother to our children.
We’re in it for the long drive, fuelled by our children’s smiles to keep powering along.
The flexibility and financial stability of driving with Lalamove has empowered me to secure a steady livelihood for my children. I count it not only a personal victory for me, but a testament to the incredible capabilities of single mothers everywhere.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Juliana Jorimi, 33, is a driver-partner at Lalamove.