Story

I’m reaching out in desperation, hoping someone can help my family and me. We’ve been struggling to make ends meet since my husband and I lost our jobs in March 2020 due to COVID-19.

The past four years have been a nightmare. We’ve had to rely on minimal government assistance (R370 SRD grant and R530 child grant) to survive. Our daughter, who matriculated in 2020, has been working retail, but it’s not enough. Our son, still in school, is our only dependent.

We’re facing a critical situation: our bank is threatening to evict us due to unpaid mortgage arrears. We’ve managed to scrape together R1000 per month for the past year, but the bank demands full payment of the arrears amount for the last three years. We’re drowning in debt, with no money for food, electricity, or other basic necessities.

My husband, 52, does occasional handyman work, earning R250 per day when he can find jobs. I’m 47, with 25 years of bookkeeping experience, but no formal qualifications.

We’re not looking for handouts; we need temporary assistance to get back on our feet. Specifically, we’re seeking help with:

– Food for the next three months

– Mortgage payments for three months to avoid eviction

If you can spare any resources or know someone who can help, please contact me. We’re desperate, and every little bit counts.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story.