I'm Sahira, I'm an author and a guardian to my two young brothers. One is 17 the other is a 9 years old. I've been raising the youngest since he was 2 months old and since then, I've been doing my best to make sure they are taken care of and that my brothers don't need to worry about the things that are essential for them, like: Food, health and a home.

We lost our father 2 months ago and had fallen into debt, which has become another burden, with all the other responsibilities I need to take care of. I haven't ever asked for help financially before, but I didn't have any other way. 

I work part time and would work 5 days a week, so that I could make more money. But, the stress on my mental health and physical health made me reduce that.

After losing our father, I went on leave for my job.

Our cousin's family put together money for us, but they haven't told us how much and it's been a month since then and we haven't even been able to touch that money to help us. They had gone oversees right after our loss. We've been able to renovate some parts of our house.

My youngest sibling and I have been through a traumatic time with our grief. He has times he starts to curl up and cry. We've been going through counseling, but it becomes so intense, I feel like it hurts my youngest brother, more than it helping him.

Our house has repairs we need done. Our bedroom doors and bathroom doors are jsut hanging by their hinges. Some of the walls have holes or nicks. We need to repaint them. Our windows in the bedrooms have no screens. The heating system is also messed up, and electricity at the front door doesn't work, so some places don't have lights.

If I didn't need to have that financial worry, it would make it easier to make sure my brothers and my mother can focus on our food and health and not on if we are able to afford to or not.

The money will go toward credit debt, rent, food and house repairs.

With your help, I can focus on being able to provide my brothers' and families needs and maybe even take care of myself more too.

Thank you so much. Anything helps.

Our Cat Jamal 

Our cat Jamal has some teeth issues such as gingivitis and I found a bump on his head and one on his tummy that we'll need to check out.

If ever you would like to give him a toy or money for food, please let me know.

Update 2023:

We still have a few house repairs like closet doors to be fixed, the heating, kitchen cabinet doors, new couches and a table.

My teen brother is now an adult and we are trying to help him get therapy and counseling. We pay a condo fee that is around 450 a month and it's been tough juggling two jobs, taking care of my brothers, and making sure I don't let myself burnout. We really do need help the month of January, until my 18 year-old brother can get social assistance.

Thank you so much for all your help.