Hello! My name is Sheri, and I am assisting my friend SymAum find permanent housing in her new home of Hawaii.

SymAum’s Testimony and Request

The adventure to find reprieve from my last housing conflict with my landlord started with securing a job in the Marshall Islands. My teacher contract, like so many others before, included housing, health insurance, and assurance that I was going to be supported in a new country.

However, when I arrived, it was revealed to me in the car ride after a long and chaotic travel day, that my housing was not ready and there was no livable alternative. There was also no guarantee of when it would be ready, nor was there any sense of urgency applied before my arrival. I [and two other teachers] were left to troubleshoot on our own. We were left to sleep on cots or tables in a classroom for 4 days. My physical and mental health suffered as a result of the stress, heat, disregard for the contractual terms, and teacher support.

Considering the circumstances, I decided to return to the U.S. for health and safety concerns. I had depleted most of my funds to prepare for the opportunity and am now in dire need of support in the following areas to help me pivot and reset from this traumatic experience.

Your thoughtful donations will go towards:

Interim housing

Permanent housing needed for September / October 2025 ($2.2K/month)

Temporary storage for my belongings

Transportation to and from job interviews, doctor’s appointments, and viewing rentals

Application fees

Hiring movers

Healthy prepped meals

Flare-up management (medications, holistic healthcare)

Consistent mental health support