Back on our feet: Mariana and two young children in Rio de Janeiro

Since a sudden redundancy in August, I'm now raising two young children on my own. I work as a cleaner, but my income doesn't cover rent, childcare and groceries. I'm retraining as a pharmacy technician in the evenings, which will triple my income by December, 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. Money goes toward rent, groceries, after-school care and the cost of my course. I'll give a monthly update with receipts. Where the $1,600 goes: • Rent top-up: $630 • Childcare and after-school care: $330 • Groceries and school meals: $380 • Course fees and exam costs: $260 I'll keep this page updated with receipts as things happen. - Mariana