Starting Over Without a Home

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jennifer and her daughter, Annika, lost their home overnight. After years of emotional abuse within her marriage, they were forced out of their matrimonial home and spent a year living in a crisis shelter. It was a time defined by uncertainty and fear, but also by Jennifer’s quiet resolve to protect her child. 

Having not worked since Annika was born, Jennifer tried to secure employment to meet basic needs. Yet she lives with Meniere disease, a condition marked by sudden, unpredictable bouts of dizziness that can make commuting or sustaining regular work challenging. Each attempt at stability was fragile. 

Still, Jennifer pressed on. “Knowing she’s well, when she is able to thrive, I know I cannot afford to fall or give up.”

When School Became a Source of Fear

For Annika, school had long been a struggle. She faced learning difficulties and deep anxiety throughout primary and secondary school. By Secondary 3, the stress intensified. The thought of attending school or completing difficult homework triggered hair-pulling and bedwetting, signs of overwhelming distress. 

Living in a crisis shelter for an extended period only compounded her anxiety. Her mental health worsened, marked by low mood, suicidal thoughts, and debilitating fear. The hair-pulling made her feel self-conscious, pushing her further to the margins among her peers. 

Jennifer watched helplessly as her once-curious child retreated. “When she was young, I saw she loved exploring, learning, and suddenly they all came to a halt and spiraling downhill.” Carrying guilt and grief, Jennifer adds, “It’s a mixed feeling when I see her improving. She shouldn’t have to go through these struggles in the first place. I feel responsible… and because of my choices she also suffers.”

Choosing a Different Path to Heal and Learn

In July 2025, Jennifer made a painful but hopeful decision. She withdrew Annika from mainstream school and enrolled her in a home-based education programme built around modular, credit-based learning. This environment allows students to learn at their own pace and work towards further education or employment. Since starting, Annika’s anxiety and depressive symptoms have eased slightly. 

Healing takes time, but the progress is visible. Studying from home has reduced daily fear and allowed space for confidence to return. “I know my daughter is happier now, she’s improving with homeschooling and struggles less now that she is studying from home.” 

The cost, however, is heavy. Jennifer survives on ad-hoc jobs paying $10 to $15 an hour and informal help from her brother. Past assistance was brief and unsustainable. She skips meals and travels across the border to save on necessities, often at the expense of her health. With no savings, each month is a careful calculation.

Ray of Hope is fundraising $6,000 to cover 12 months of Annika’s homeschooling fees. At $500 a month, this includes teaching, materials, and project-based modules, paid directly to the programme organisation.

Your support ensures Annika can continue learning in a safe, compassionate environment, and move closer to her dream of joining a helping profession one day. With stability, time, and care, a love for learning can be rekindled.

*The campaign goal includes a 1.8% payment processing fee.