Dear Pastor

I am 22 and having a very hard life, especially since my mom died. She left the five of us children struggling because she never got the chance to set a foundation for us. She was struggling to survive with HIV/AIDS for seven years. We know hard life and we are used to it, but things got really worse after her death. My brothers and sister and I got kicked out on to the streets.

Our family members refused to help us, so my sister and I struggled to have a place to sleep. We are living at different places. I have one child. I live with my son's father, but he is kicking me out because he has found someone new, so the simplest thing is he tells me to leave. I am almost homeless because I do not have anywhere else to go. He has tried to kill me three times. I have been through a lot with this man for years. I do everything for him. I have been with him from when he had nothing, and I helped him to go back to school and I helped him with all his schoolwork until he got a job. And from there he changed and suddenly wants to dump me for a girl he is talking to at his workplace.

I recently left HEART but still have not got a job. I try really hard to get a job but no luck for me with that right now. I am stressed, very depressed, and my hair is falling out. I keep having problems to breathing and I am losing weight. I am really skinny now because of everything I am going through. I am also considering suicide lately and cannot remember anything. I am confused and don't know what to do. I have been also asking you to please to pray for us. I don't know what to do, and I need help badly because I need a place to live so I can help my brother and sister. I am the oldest, so they are depending on me for help.

Depressed

Dear Depressed

I regret hearing that your mother passed on. Evidently, she suffered for a long time. I am also very sorry to hear that your sibilings and you are not doing well and that your child's father has been threatening you. You have alleged that your son's father has tried to kill you three times, but you did not state why you came to that conclusion. However, you ought to end the relationship with him because the relationship is not good and you are not happy and are feeling suicidal. I do not know if anyone would be willing to give you a job or provide a place for you to live, but I hope that someone would be willing to come to your rescue. If anyone is willing to help you, I will let you know.

In the meantime I would urge you to make an appointment to see a family counsellor. You may call the churches in the Corporate area and ask if a counsellor would be willing to talk to you.

Pastor