What happened to Priya? 

Priya is a 20 year old mother and the main caregiver to her 9-month-old daughter. During the pregnancy, she was diagnosed with cholestasis, which puts her pregnancy at high risk. Her baby was born premature and often has trouble fighting off infections because her immune systems are not fully developed. Her daughter is currently enrolled into infant care but is often being sent home as she falls ill frequently. As Priya is unable to work to care for her daughter, they solely rely on her husband’s income to get by each day.

Priya’s family was financially comfortable until her husband was retrenched from his full-time job during the Covid Pandemic. This, coupled with a difficult pregnancy that required him to accompany Priya to her many hospital appointments led to him taking up ad-hoc employment to try and make ends meet.

However, this inconsistent source does not provide enough to cover their family’s basic needs and adds to the stress experienced by the young couple.

How can you help? 

Support  Priya’s young family with their marketing needs and provide for their daughter’s milk and diapers ($560 x 6 months). This will serve as a buffer while her husband secures a full-time job, and brings home a consistent income for their family.

Find out more/Appeal for Priya

During Priya’s last trimester, she was diagnosed with cholestasis, a condition in which the flow of bile from the liver is slowed or blocked. This could lead to her daughter developing respiratory problems, which categorised her as undergoing a high risk pregnancy. Priya’s daughter was subsequently born premature at 36-weeks and it led to her daughter’s immune system being very weak. As a result, Priya stays at home to constantly care and monitor her daughter’s health.

Once Priya’s daughter has built up a better immune system, she plans on sending her daughter back to infant care. She also showed motivation to work along the admin or service line to supplement that family’s household income. However, being 6 weeks pregnant now, it is uncertain if she can find an employer that would want to take her in. Her husband is also working on securing a full-time job to bring home a consistent income for the family.

*Priya is currently receiving social assistance .