Son's needs foremost for mom
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
"S.G." returns from her 9-to-5 job to a studio apartment where she lives with her 1-year-old son and her father, who is unable to work because of illness.
She's learned to budget both her time and money. The family survives on what S.G. earns from her job as a preschool teacher's aide and her father's disability insurance checks.
It's to S.G.'s credit that the rent gets paid, there's food on the table and the apartment is clean. She's dependable, organized, enthusiastic and remarkably disciplined for an 18-year-old who graduated from high school last year.
"It's a busy but good life," said S.G., who plans to attend college to become a teacher once her son is in school.
Her father has skin cancer and cannot be outdoors for any length of time. He watches the baby while S.G. is at work.
She gets up before dawn because the bus ride to work takes more than an hour. S.G. returns home and starts preparing dinner off a propane stove at about 6:30 p.m. each day. The family shares a sink and bathroom with two other renters, both men.
"It's OK except it's like being in a hot box," she said of the unit.
S.G. wants only clothes and shoes for her son — 18-24 months (toddler) — and a small dresser (it needs to fit through a narrow doorway) to store his things.
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To donate
Our anonymous Santa has generously offered once again this year to match the first $25 of each donation to the Christmas Fund. Checks made payable to "The Advertiser Christmas Fund" should be mailed to Helping Hands Hawai'i, P.O. Box 17780, Honolulu, HI 96817.
Monetary donations may be dropped off at any First Hawaiian Bank branch. Anyone wishing to donate goods instead of money can do so at the Community Clearinghouse at 2100 N. Nimitz Highway, near Pu'uhale Road. For details, call 440-3804.
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Recent donations to The Advertiser Christmas Fund
- Jeela Ongley $5
- In Memory of Frances Wood $10
- In Memory of Brigit $15
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- In Memory of Gerald H.W. Lum $20
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- Matthew Tanahara $20
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Total $6,152
Total to date $62,096.74
