Toko has been a beloved piano teacher in our community, sharing her passion for music with countless children, including three generations of my family. When the covid lockdown was mandated, her private music studio was forced to close for six long months. With no income coming in, the studio rent continued to accumulate, and when she had to end her lease, she was left with a large debt to pay. This financial strain forced her to give up her home, and she moved into a small rental house, hoping to scale down her expenses and start over.

But the challenges didn’t stop there. Toko was unable to teach from home and setting up a new studio outside was costly. In the midst of these struggles, she suffered heartbreaking losses—her husband of 50 years passed away, and less than three years later, her firstborn daughter died from complications related to the Covid vaccine. The expenses for their cremations and other costs completely depleted her savings. Now, Toko is living between rental places, often staying in a motel on a day-to-day basis. She is not able to teach during these two weeks and has no money on hand to cover her basic needs.

Toko is also physically handicapped with a dislocated hip that has gone unaddressed, making her situation even more urgent. Any support you can give will make a real difference for Toko as she works to rebuild her life. Your kindness will help her find stability, cover urgent expenses, and remind her that she’s not alone during this incredibly difficult time. Thank you for caring.