GEORGE TOWN - Life has been hard for single mother of seven Anne Katherine, but help has come from an unlikely source.

Entrepreneur Macleo Wong, 32, has offered to teach Anne, 34, to make soap, organic lip balm and other natural skincare products from home.

"I will be teaching her the techniques to make these products which she will then supply to me to sell in my natural skincare shop.

"She will be able to earn around RM500 (S$205) monthly and the best part is that she can work from home without having to worry," he said at Anne's Tanjong Tokong flat recently.

Anne said she was glad for the opportunity to become self-reliant.

"I can now make some income while being at home with my kids.

"I have been taking care of my seven children, aged between three and 15, since 2009 after my husband left us," she said, adding that she also bakes cookies.

Her situation became worse in August when one of her sons, aged 11, was diagnosed with scoliosis, an abnormal bone growth on his right chest region.

Anne said she received a monthly aid of RM450 from the state Welfare Department.

"My children have just started school and a lot of money goes to school essentials, including transportation costs, so money is never enough."

State Youth, Sports and Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Lydia Ong Kok Fooi, who was present, said she managed to get three female business owners to help pay Anne's rent for the year.

Anne also hopes to complete her law degree someday.

"I've already sat for my A-Levels' Law paper."