My mom was born in Eritrea and fled the country as a refugee, ending up in Egypt. That’s where she met my father with me (she is my stepmother) and things only got worse for her. Their marriage was filled with abuse, physical, emotional, and financial. And she couldn’t leave because she didn’t have the resources. For years, the eight of us lived crammed into one small room, struggling to get by.

We’re still tied down in this uncomfortable situation because of a custody agreement with my father, who has never supported us or been present in our lives. Now we live in a very small, old apartment that’s falling apart. It hasn’t been easy, but my mom is incredibly strong, and I see that strength in the way she keeps going despite everything.

Any help would make a big difference in helping us move forward and create a better future.