My name is Haniffa Ali and I am a trying, divorced mother of two children ages 9 (boy) and 7 (girl). Their father and I have been separated since 2017 and went through the divorce process in 2018. Since then both kids have been living with me and I have been trying my best to provide all necessities for them. Their father is a part of their lives but he assists when he can. He's a seasonal worker and he's out of a job most of the time.

I was employed as an I.T Technician for a private company in Trinidad but my contract was terminated in March 2020 due to covid-19. I did not give up so before the recent 2021 lockdown I was working part time as a self-employed person doing different small jobs (food, cakes and computer related services), from where I am currently staying to be able to provide groceries and other items for my children. I started saving something small once more hoping to have enough to do some sort of repairs but all the money had to be used as survival necessities until July 4th (tenative date for re-open of country).

The wooden structure (view picture above) has been there since 2016 built from used ply donated by a person who were breaking down their home. Four years later (in 2020) the reclaimed board had begun to leak dust and attract wood lice. In 2021, the roof began leaking and my outside wares stand also got broken down due to not being under a shed and constantly facing different weather conditions. My children and I had a hard time living under those stressful conditions and facing much more even before covid-19 but after I got the job as an I.T Technician, I had great intention to achieve a better house without seeking help. Unfortunately covid-19 did not let that dream come true and crippled all possibilities, leaving me in a quest to seek help.

I am pleading help to get a better home asap as where I am currently staying is of mental and verbal abuse to my children and myself. We are not fully welcome to stay here but due to the circumstances mentioned above and more we were taken in by someone whose relative has been very abusive to us. The abuse started in June 2020 after the person realized we are not leaving. Insults, using obscene language infront of my children even while they are online doing school work, throwing out our market items from the refrigerator to the floor and so much more only words can explain. Truth be told we are not here to stay but are only seeking to do better and then vacate.

I am not writing my story with the intention of just collecting money for assistance but I am also kindly asking assistance in the form of building materials, assistance from builders and or any other kind assistance wish to be given by persons reading this story.