Dear people,

It is with a small heart and much doubt that I write this. It is not easy to ask for help, but we are at the end of our strength - both financially and emotionally - with our family and can no longer do it alone.

A year ago, my husband and I were forced to stop our self-employed business. The stress was literally life-threatening: the doctors told my husband he would not make it through the year if he continued like this. His heart problems, combined with unbearable stress, forced us to make a decision that completely changed our lives.

As if that wasn't enough, in the same year my husband lost his brother to suicide as well as his grandmother. He hasn't had his parents for years. He was left with a broken heart, a shattered confidence and a heavy mental toll.

I myself have a chronic condition that requires me to take daily medication, but because we don't have money for insurance, we can't buy this medication, or we have to pay full price, which is not feasible, soevery day I am in pain.

When we started our business, we had signed a personal guarantee with the bank so that we could get a loan. When we had to stop, that €50,000 debt remained on our shoulders. It keeps growing through daily interest, and we can't get out of it.

We both work full-time. We also take on extra work, just to make ends meet. But despite all our efforts, we can't manage anymore. Every month it's a struggle to put food on the table. There are days when we scrape together the last pennies to buy a loaf of bread.

We do everything to give our 3-year-old son a warm, loving home. He deserves a full bread box, a hot meal, stability and parents who can be there - not just physically, but also mentally.

That is why we are asking for help. Not because we don't want to work. Not because we are giving up. But because we can no longer manage on our own.

Every contribution, no matter how small, helps us take a breath. To hopefully start again from scratch without that heavy burden of debt.

Thank you very much for reading our story, and for all the support - in any form.

Love,

To our little family 💛