I am Kathleen, joyful and proud single mom of 2 children aged 13 and 4, and I am kindly asking for help to raise the school fees for my younger son, Koa.

What happened? During last year I worked hard to save up the amount to pay the yearly tuition (matrícula), operating with the earnest belief that the monthly school fee for both children would be taken care of by the father. For context, I provide everything else as they live with me: a loving home, healthcare, clothing, home, meals, entertainment, after school activities and everything they need on a daily basis; I am also the primary parent and my children’s safe place. To make a long story short, school fees for my younger son were not paid and now all of 2024 monthly fees (March to November) are owed, and Koa couldn’t be enrolled for this year.

I am proud to share I work two jobs to support myself and my kids, while also going through treatment for severe ulcerative colitis every 8 weeks. I must travel to have access to timely treatment, medication, screenings, and scheduled follw-ups with the Gastroenterologist and those travel and logistic costs are also on my shoulders.

I work as a contractor, thus the job is not all year round; usually, contracts are for nine or ten months. I have learned to save for the months in between contracts, but this year it is taking longer to start working which means that savings are not enough. Recently, I also found out from my job that I will be taking a pay cut, due to change of roles and that leaves me in a very tight spot financially, having saved up only enough to cover rent, food, and utilities for the months that I am in between contracts. I also have an older child who is 13 and goes to the same school—two kids in very different age groups with growing needs.

Classes started on the 3rd of February, and I was given some flexibility by the school to come up with what is owed so that Koa can start school in again March, one month later than his peers.

We live close to the school and every day that Koa sees his friends passing by he tells me how “he doesn’t want to be late for school” and how much he misses all his friends.

I am also applying to other jobs meanwhile but we appreciate all help while I get back on my feet. I trust that this is only temporary.

This is the breakdown of how funds received will be destined:

This is the balance due from 2024:

Thank you all for your solidarity with our cause.