Juliana* is from a single-mother family. Her parents separated when she was nine years old. Juliana’s mother, Nancy*, had to work in a restaurant from early in the morning until late at night. Yet, although she worked long hours, she was often unable to make ends meet.

Life was tough for Juliana and her brother, Jason*. Nancy could not pay much attention to them due to her long working hours. Most of the time, they were left alone and had to take care of themselves. Juliana began to seek love outside of home. She was not interested in her studies because she could not keep up with the lessons. She often played truant. After some time, she dropped out of school and started working.

At the age of 20, she met a man, David*. He showered her with expensive gifts and gave her the attention and care that she craved for. One day, she received a call from a woman who claimed to be David’s wife who wanted Juliana to leave him. At that time, Juliana was three months pregnant.

However, a ray of hope emerged when someone took Juliana to Shelter’s Single Mothers’ Support Network. Another single mother, Betty*, linked her up with a home for unwed mothers, where Juliana stayed until she delivered a baby boy. Betty also helped Juliana to find sponsors for her delivery fees, confinement food, and milk powder for her baby.

With support and guidance from Betty and other single mothers, Juliana carries on with life as an unwed mother. In spite of her rough past, she still looks for hope and opportunities in both the present and the future. The support she receives from the network has helped her to move beyond hopelessness and despair to hopefulness and optimism. Juliana dares to dream again because she knows that the dark clouds of a hopeless situation carry silver linings of hope and change.

Juliana sometimes wishes that her mother could have received this kind of support when her parents separated. With wise advice and proper guidance, her mother would have been better equipped and enabled to raise her two children well.

Shelter recognizes these regrets. Thus, the work among single mothers continues - to help them tackle difficult situations, move towards better circumstances and, like Juliana, find the courage to dream again.