Back on our feet: Mercedes and a teenage son and a daughter in primary school in San Nicolás de los Garza

Since a long illness in January, I'm now raising a teenage son and a daughter in primary school on my own. I work as a hairdresser, 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 May, 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 $1,550 goes: • Rent top-up: $700 • Childcare and after-school care: $460 • Groceries and school meals: $300 • Course fees and exam costs: $90 I'll keep this page updated with receipts as things happen. - Mercedes