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Back on our feet: Zalak and a toddler and a seven-year-old in Kanpur

A single father in Kanpur needs help with childcare, groceries and rent while Zalak retrains.

🇮🇳 Uttar Pradesh, India684 views
Zalak A. Shah
Email verified
Kanpur
After a divorce in July, I'm now raising a toddler and a seven-year-old on my own. I work as a part-time receptionist, but my income doesn't cover rent, childcare and groceries. I'm retraining as a web developer in the evenings, which will triple my income by November, 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 $700 goes: • Rent top-up: $290 • Childcare and after-school care: $150 • Groceries and school meals: $125 • Course fees and exam costs: $135 You're what makes this possible, and I'll never forget it.

Updates from Zalak

  1. Wanted to say thank you properly. 53% funded and I made the first payment toward childcare and after-school care.

  2. Thank you all. We're at 47% now ($330). I'm honestly stunned. the plan for childcare and after-school care is now scheduled. - Zalak

  3. Update from Kanpur: we've booked the dates and paid the deposit. We're at 40% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.

  • Jennifer G. Burton 🇬🇧 · $250
  • Samuel E. Vaughn 🇺🇸 · $100
  • Lucie Picard 🇫🇷 · $50
  • Natalia H. Urbina 🇪🇸 · $50

    “Thought of Zalak all day after reading this. - Madrid”

  • Anonymous 🇳🇬 · $48
  • Harish E. Murthy 🇮🇳 · $43
  • Seyi Ibrahim Bello 🇳🇬 · $25
  • Barasa Samuel Mwangi 🇹🇿 · $20
  • Anonymous 🇳🇱 · $10

    “From my family to yours. Thought of Zalak all day after reading this. - Eindhoven”

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  • Oleksandr Konstantin KovalevQuestionID verified

    Is there anything that isn't money that would help Zalak?

    • Zalak A. ShahOwnerAnswer

      Thank you. If you're in Kanpur I'll say if something practical comes up. For now sharing this is great. It helps to be asked.

  • Thinking of you and your family, Zalak. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. Thinking of Kanpur.

    • rooting for you, Zalak. Rent stress is the worst. Hope this helps. We lost years of savings to something like this so I get it. Love from Multan.

      • Zoe BanksQuestion

        Is there a list of costs somewhere? Just curious how it adds up for Zalak.

        • Zalak A. ShahOwnerAnswer

          Rent top-up is $290 of it. Everything else is listed in the story and nothing outside that list comes out of this page. Good question.

      • Thinking of you. I was in a similar spot a few years ago and it did get better. Don't lose heart. A few weeks ago I was in a hole too and it changed faster than I expected. Greetings from Pietermaritzburg

        • Take care. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. I'm in customer support myself and wanted you to know we're cheering for you. All the best.

          • Shared this with my family. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like. Greetings from Uberlândia

            $596 raised of $700

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