Our impact
Aidha’s Ripple of Impact – 9 Lives Positively Impacted for Every Student at Aidha
Our research shows that for every woman who goes through our long course programme, nine lives are positively impacted. Students are better able to support their dependants, they share their knowledge with friends and family members, and many start businesses back home, providing livelihoods for their employees and the dependants of their employees. A remarkable 48% of our students help others start businesses.
Overview of MDWs in Singapore
Key facts:
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316,900 migrant domestic workers in Singapore*
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$776 average monthly salary**
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MDWs in Singapore work here for an average of 6 years ***
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Only 3% claim to have saved enough upon their return home***
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59% of returned MDWs wish to migrate again for work***
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MDWs work on average 13 hours a day, six days a week**
* Ministry of Manpower (Dec 2025)
** Aidha’s Kadence survey (average income of new registrants, Jul 2019-May 2026)
*** Wessels, Home Sweet Home: Work, life and well-being of migrant domestic workers in Singapore. (2015)
**** Seefar, Making Migration Work (2019)
Aidha’s Impact Assessment Methodology
At Aidha, we are committed to building an evidence-based programme model, informed by strong research and robust programme data.
To assess our impact, we administer an extensive survey to all of our students for when they first register for Aidha and upon the completion of each module in order to track their progress over time.
This survey collects demographic data, data on students’ savings, spending, asset and business ownership. It also assesses their confidence levels in various areas including financial control, business capability, IT skills and personal self-confidence.
In addition to the data we collect via this survey (which we have developed in collaboration with our research partner, Kadence), we also gather further quantitative as well as qualitative feedback from both mentors and students on our curriculum and various supplementary programmes.
Monthly Savings Increase Significantly
Monthly savings amongst students increase by 32% after Module 1 and by 64% after Module 3. On average, every student participating in our long course programme increases their average monthly savings by 46%.
Ownership of Productive Assets Rises
The number of types of productive assets owned (including a house/renovation, building, land, vehicle, livestock, machinery/equipment) increases by 47% after Module 3.
Business Ownership Increases
Business ownership amongst students increases from 16% to 45% as they progress through the curriculum. Many Aidha alumnae continue working in Singapore and start businesses at home with their families. On average across all our modules, 36% of Aidha long course students own businesses.
