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Back on our feet: Manuel and two young children in Riverside

Manuel and two young children need a bridge to stability after a divorce.

Anywhere in the world4,462 views
Manuel B. Espinoza
Email verified
Riverside
Since a divorce in June, I'm now raising two young children on my own. I work as a retail cashier, but my income doesn't cover rent, childcare and groceries. I'm retraining as a bookkeeper in the evenings, which will triple my income by September, but I need to bridge the gap until then. Some weeks I skip meals so my children can eat. I have never asked anyone for help like this before, and I'm doing it for them. Once I finish my course, I'll pay it forward. Every cent is accounted for. I'll share a simple monthly breakdown. Where the $4,250 goes: • Rent top-up: $2,250 • Childcare and after-school care: $590 • Groceries and school meals: $770 • Course fees and exam costs: $640 Thank you so much. - Manuel

Updates from Manuel

  1. Thank you all. We're at 49% now ($2,083). I'm honestly stunned. we've started the first stage.

  2. Good news. Because of your gifts ($869 in total) we've started the first stage. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  3. Good news. Because of your gifts ($1,237 in total) the plan for course fees and exam costs is now scheduled. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  • Esther Eunice Kamau 🇺🇬 · $250

    “Wish I could do more. Thought of Manuel all day after reading this. - Entebbe”

  • Feyza Özlem Bozkurt 🇹🇷 · $250

    “Only $250 but hope it helps. - Istanbul”

  • Rabin Mahesh Lama 🇳🇵 · $200
  • Ibrahim Samir Gaber 🇫🇷 · $200
  • Elif Burcu Işık 🇩🇪 · $100
  • Anonymous 🇮🇳 · $100

    “Blessings. I'm in Jabalpur, thinking of you.”

  • Kamau Kipchoge Mushi 🇺🇬 · $100
  • Ian M. Young 🇬🇧 · $100
  • Bilal Qasim Kazmi 🇵🇰 · $100
  • Rose Halima Lyimo 🇰🇪 · $100
  • Gloria Eunice Manu 🇬🇭 · $100
  • Sanduni Anoma Senanayake 🇱🇰 · $100
  • Sohel Omar Saha 🇧🇩 · $100

    “Get well soon. Hope the September deadline works out. - Chattogram”

  • Tayo Lucky Ibrahim 🇳🇬 · $74
  • Mary Grace T. Lopez 🇵🇭 · $71

    “Every little bit. Hope the September deadline works out. - Mandaue”

  • Anonymous 🇰🇪 · $63

    “From my family to yours. Only $63 but hope it helps. - Naivasha”

  • Douglas G. Patel 🇺🇸 · $50

    “From my family to yours. Thought of Manuel all day after reading this. - San Diego”

  • Nkechi Amaka Nwachukwu 🇳🇬 · $50

    “From my family to yours. Small amount but sent with love. - Nnewi”

  • Pari R. Sachdeva 🇮🇳 · $50
  • Aisha Amin 🇩🇪 · $50

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  • Take care, Manuel. Shared this with my family. Love from Melbourne.

    • Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. We're a small family in Thane but we're thinking of you. Take care.

      • Stay strong. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. Greetings from Saint-Étienne.

        • best of luck, Manuel. I was in a similar spot a few years ago and it did get better

          • shared this with my family. Don't be hard on yourself for asking. God bless

            • Rooting for you. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. My neighbor in Glendale donated after I showed her your page.

              • take care, Manuel. Looking forward to the next update. Greetings from Gujranwala.

                • so sorry you're going through this, Manuel. Hope this works out for you. Don't give up. Love from Ikeja.

                  • Sending good thoughts. I hope your landlord gives you a bit more time while this comes together. My colleague had a similar thing happen so this one hit home. Blessings.

                    • Hope things get better soon, Manuel. Gave what I could, wish it was more. Don't lose heart. A few weeks ago I was in a hole too and it changed faster than I expected.

                      • hope it all works out, Manuel. I was in a similar spot a few years ago and it did get better. I have a 7 year old who wants to send good wishes too. Take care.

                        • Thinking of you and your family. Shared it with a few friends. I have a 10 year old who wants to send good wishes too

                          • Kai J. HopkinsPhoto verified

                            Thanks for sharing this, Manuel. Hope this works out for you. Read this on the bus and kept thinking about it all day. All the best.

                            • you're not alone. Your post was clear and honest. All the best!

                              • sending good thoughts, Manuel. Shared this with my family. We lost years of savings to something like this so I get it.

                                • Rent stress is the worst. Hope this helps. Love from Colombo.

                                  • Good luck, Manuel. A secure home matters so much. Hope you're settled soon. Take care.

                                    • Best of luck, Manuel. Your post was clear and honest. It's not much but it's yours.

                                      • Irina Alina IlyinAddress verifiedID verified

                                        Best of luck, Manuel. Your post was clear and honest. My late mom used to say help given quietly counts double. Love from Mukono

                                        • Sending good thoughts, Manuel. I hope your landlord gives you a bit more time while this comes together. This is the second need I've supported on here and the first that made me cry. Love from Nakhon Ratchasima.

                                          $2,997.50 raised of $4,250

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