Dear Friends, Strangers, and People of Good Will!

Deeply shaken, and setting aside all my pride, I turn to you as a mother. I never thought the day would come when I would have to ask strangers for help, but by now we have exhausted all our reserves, opportunities and strength of spirit. Our family of six has drifted to the brink of total financial ruin.

My husband and I are raising four children, but the daily cost of living has overwhelmed us. Although we are doing everything we can, we feel helpless. Over the past two years, I have been completely unable to find a job, despite applying for over a hundred positions and gaining further qualifications. Nevertheless, I am not giving up: I am constantly improving my skills and am currently studying at university so that when an opportunity finally arises, I can re-enter the job market as well-prepared as possible.

But our current figures are relentless. Our monthly rent is 390,000 forints, and our existing mortgage repayment is 180,000 forints. That’s nearly 600,000 forints in fixed expenses every month, even before we’ve fed the children or paid the bills.

Our daily lives often feel completely hopeless. We’ve reached the point where we’re queuing with the needy at food banks, buying discounted food, and waiting anxiously for a call to collect a food parcel.

Now that summer is coming, we can’t afford to send them to a single camp – whilst their peers are gaining new experiences, they are forced to spend their holidays at home. Everyday things cause unbearable stomach cramps, such as a birthday invitation: it is particularly unpleasant and painful to face the fact that the children are invited by their friends, because we have no money to buy a present, and we cannot let them go empty-handed.

The noose is tightening around our necks:

• we are80,000 forints in arrears with the children’s school.
• My half-yearly university tuition fees are 90,000 forints, which secures our future
• We have accumulated nearly half a million forints in other debts, which have gone purely on day-to-day costs and various unexpected expenses

Our goal is incredibly ambitious: we want to raise 20 million forints. I know this figure is staggering at first glance, but this amount could mean the end of the financial stranglehold on our family. By paying off our loan in full, we would immediately have an extra 180,000 forints a month. This money would radically reduce our financial burdens and the daily uncertainty we face. We could pay off our debts and finally get back on our feet.

Please, if you can, support us with even the price of a coffee. If you are unable to help financially, sharing our post would mean the world to us, ensuring our appeal reaches those who can help.

We will be eternally grateful for every single forint, every kind word and every share. Thank you for not turning a blind eye.