Rita, 30, is the sole caregiver for six children between the ages of 1 and 13. Her journey of motherhood hasn’t been easy. Since the birth of her first child, her ex-husband has been absent, leaving her to shoulder the financial, emotional, and physical burdens of raising their children – all while enduring emotional and physical abuse. This marriage ended in early 2020.

After years of being the sole provider and caregiver to her children, she found hope in a new marriage. However, that stability was disrupted when her husband was incarcerated in February 2024.

With his sudden absence, Rita finds herself grappling with the burden of financial responsibility alone. While she’s committed to providing for her children, the reality of supporting a large household on a single income is daunting as the demands of her growing family stretch her resources thin.

How can you help?

As Rita’s husband’s release date approaches in September 2024, Ray of Hope is raising $980 per month for 5 months to assist the family of 7 in meeting their essential needs. These funds will go towards crucial expenses such as groceries, as well as providing for the children’s essential items like milk and diapers.

Finding light in darkness

Rita mustered up the courage to leave an abusive relationship in 2020 after enduring a difficult marriage for many years. The relationship was marred by her ex-husband’s mistreatment and gambling struggles.

On top of her relationship woes, Rita faced an uphill battle of securing stable housing for her family. Since the birth of her first child, she struggled with housing issues. After years of struggle, Rita finally secured a rental unit in 2021, and attained permanent housing in 2022.

Even though Rita found love again and remarried in 2021, the challenges did not end. Her ex-husband refused to provide any child support and also attempted to alienate one of her daughters from her. This added to the stress Rita felt, even as she fought to rebuild her family, not to mention the constant worry of being dragged back into legal proceedings again. Together with her current husband, they worked hard to buy their family home in January 2023. Just when they thought they were out of the woods, a past issue came back to haunt them. Little did they know, a seemingly harmless gathering of Rita’s husband and his friends during the Covid-19 pandemic would turn into a nightmare for the family. Rita’s husband was incarcerated on 23 February 2024.

“Even though I’m on maternity leave, I feel utterly exhausted. Balancing the needs of my children, running the household, and juggling other responsibilities can feel incredibly overwhelming at times.”, Rita expressed.

Rita admits to feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, particularly during Raya’s festive season.

“Being alone with the kids feels especially daunting this year,” Rita confided. “The thought of facing Raya without my Husband and the emotional toll of legal battles are overwhelming. I just want to move on and protect my children.”

Ray of Hope was Rita’s first step. Now, determined to better care for her children, she fights to secure their needs and seeks professional help for her own well-being. Rita will return to work on 22 April 2024. She needs your help to get back on her feet, to ensure the children’s needs are met, while awaiting her husband’s return to the family in September this year.