A Belarusian woman was left alone with three minor children after her husband’s arrest. While he is in prison, the family cannot cope even with basic expenses.
My name is Nina*. My husband is in detention. He was detained in the morning when he left for work, as usual telling me and the children, “See you this evening.” After that, he was sentenced to a long prison term on fabricated grounds.
When we were together, we had a normal life. My husband provided for the family, took part in raising the children, and made decisions. And I was with the children. I was sure that if difficulties happened, I would be able to handle everything on my own. But I was wrong. Over time, my strength ran out, and I feel that I am no longer coping.
Now Nina is raising three school-age children on her own. All of them are minors and need constant attention and expenses. The family lives on a seamstress’s salary, part-time work as a cleaner, and a small income from handicrafts.
I try to earn extra money however I can. But this money is not enough even for the most necessary things. Sometimes caring people help, and that supports us, but expenses grow faster than income.
What causes particular anxiety are the children’s education expenses. In general, everything related to school, as well as the children’s medical needs and health improvement. Without the involvement of my husband and the children’s father, our family has found itself in a very vulnerable situation. In addition, visits from social services have become more frequent; they constantly hint that we live too poorly and that they may consider the issue of my children’s “social protection.” And you understand yourselves what kind of “protection” that is. They could simply be taken away from the family.
Of course, it is impossible to replace my husband’s involvement, but right now I cannot count on his early release. That is why I am asking very much for your help, so that we can calmly wait for his return home and preserve a normal life for the children. I am grateful in advance to everyone who responds and supports our family.
*This is an anonymous fundraiser. For security reasons, we have changed the heroine’s name and some details of the story.
Fundraising amount:
€5000
€1000 – purchase of clothes and shoes for three children
€1200 – household items for the family and food for several months
€800 – expenses related to schooling and school events
€800 – children’s medical expenses
€1200 – cosmetic renovation of the apartment