Stories from families we support
Single mother, 3 boys, twins 10 months, and 2 years
«It would have meant so much to me to get help with the start of kindergarten. The twins are starting kindergarten now in August, and because I'm on social assistance the reality is that I haven't been able to afford to buy anything for them. I'm stressed because I know the start of kindergarten is right around the corner.
It's not always easy being a single mother to three small children. Their father is completely out of the picture. He moved abroad and unfortunately doesn't contribute. Because of difficult circumstances, I don't have any other network around me either. I'm on parental leave with the twins until August. Since the pregnancies were so close to each other, I didn't have the chance to build up parental benefits. It's hard when you're barely able to afford the necessities.»
Single mother, boy 9 years
«The summer holidays are hard enough as they are. We don't travel anywhere and activities are also costly. But we create our own small moments, where we write down simple activities we can do on a little note, put them in a bowl and draw one each day. It can be anything from blowing soap bubbles in the park, taking the bus to town, or going to the cinema if we're lucky. Thankfully this has worked fine for us. My child doesn't expect much. But then the start of school comes suddenly.
It's challenging to buy everything. Equipment for the first day of school, clothes, new indoor shoes, outdoor shoes, new rain gear. Then autumn comes and you have to find warmer clothes and shoes. Because children, well, they grow so incredibly fast! For us it makes no difference whether it's used or new. But the challenge is, for example, that used shoes rarely are available.
I'm a single parent, and unfortunately don't have great contact with the child's father, so we receive the minimum child support rate from NAV. I'm sick, and depend on both housing benefits and supplementary social assistance for us to make it. I'd give anything to be healthy enough to work a regular job and have a normal life. But unfortunately, that is not my case.
In the long run it's exhausting to ask for help, I feel less worthy. But it's also touching to see the joy others get from helping. I've been able to collect food once a week from a local organisation, and sometimes I get some extra support around Christmas and Easter.
Even though it can feel embarrassing as an adult to receive help, the thought that my child's everyday life will become normalised helps a lot.»
Father and mother, 2 girls, 1 year and 3 years
«Getting support for the start of kindergarten gives me dignity and makes it possible for my children to show up on equal terms with others, without feeling left out or different. It's not always about the practical things, but about safety, inclusion, and being able to give the children a good start.
It's a time that for many is about anticipation and joy, but for us it's marked by worry about whether we can afford the most essential things. New clothes, shoes, a backpack and equipment aren't just small things, they're expenses that quickly become overwhelming when finances are already tight.
The rest of the year is also very demanding, but it's at moments like these that it feels especially hard.»