She was abused as a child and later as an adult by her ex-husband, who became addicted to drugs.

But when her ex-husband's actions threatened the well-being of their child, the now-single mother walked away from the abusive relationship to begin a safer life.

"I realized it was enough," said the 31-year-old woman, who didn't want to be identified.

But after escaping from one bad situation, the family still faces problems.

The single mother, who is raising two daughters in a small studio apartment, finds it difficult to make ends meet every month.

She works full time at a retail store, but when business slows, as it has now, she works fewer hours and makes less money. She doesn't collect government assistance or child support.

She's able to buy food but acknowledges it tends to be cheaper, unhealthy meals. Her brother and sister-in-law, who live nearby, often help feed the family, which she said has been a godsend.

It bothers her that she can't give her daughters more. While her 12-year-old understands the situation, her 7-year-old doesn't understand why they can't have the things other children have.

"When I was younger and I asked my mom for something, she never (gave it to me), so I told myself when I have children I want to give them what they want, what I didn't have," she said. "But the only thing I can do for them now as a single parent is to just put a (roof) ... over their head and ... (make sure) they're eating, even if it's just saimin."

Sadly, the family's problems are not just about money. Her daughters were molested by a relative who took the family in several years ago, she said. The oldest daughter, in particular, is having a hard time coping with the aftermath and is receiving counseling.

The family is just hoping to have a nice Christmas this year and is asking only for new clothing, a luxury for the mother and her girls.

The 7-year-old daughter wears a children's size 10; the 12-year-old wears a children's 14 or adult 0-1/small; and the mother wears a size small pants and medium shirt/dress.

RECENT DONATIONS TO THE ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND

UH football game, Saturday

Anonymous — $500

Gayle & Walter Ozawa — $100

Megan Ito — $25

Lorraine & Richard Saari — $25

Jill Niitani — $10

Helen Ohashi — $10

Maile Hirota — $5

Kathy Hirota — $5

Tina Villanueva — $5

Jacob Hogin — $4.78

Matthew Lee — $2

Brentyn Lee — $2

Other game donations — $4,806.22

Jonathan & Mildred Car — $1,000

James & Doris Tomita — $200

Mary Ann & R. Peter Knerr — $150

Cheong & Yuriko Lum — $150

Malia, Daniel & Michael — $150

Ron Amasol — $100

June Anderson — $100

Aunty Marian's Grooming — $100

Nancy M. Bannick — $100

Jennifer Crites — $100

Sheila Davis — $100

Robert & Norene Hazzard — $100

Harriet Maruyama, in memory of M/M Yoshikazu Morimoto — $100

Garret Masuda — $100

Larry & Yasuko Nakamoto — $100

Henry Oyama — $100

Robert Oyama, in memory of Mabel M. Oyama — $100

Rosei Shinsato — $100

Robert M. & Diane Sumie McCoy Witt — $100

Andrew Yamaguchi & Cheryl Ernst — $100

Joseph Cuarisma Jr. — $75

Kymbal Roley — $75

Herbert & Charlotte Bara — $50

Karli, Allison & Samantha DeRego — $50

Arthur & Rosemary Eberhardt — $50

John & Jeanette Hoag — $50

Watson W.S. & Doris Tak Yee P. Li — $50

M. McCabe — $50

Randy Nakashima — $50

Ayako Nishimoto & Sharon Otagaki — $50

Sylvia Schmidt — $50

Helena Tibbs & Ronnie Roberts — $50

Benito Depasopil — $30

Jeanne Bay & John Dondero — $25

Larry & Eleanor Graff — $25

Noelani H.A. Hara — $25

Lloyd & Michelle Hataishi — $25

Ingeborg Hopkins, in loving memory of my dear husband, Wendell P. Hopkins — $25

Victor & Maureen Kreck — $25

Kristy Nakamoto — $25

Rosaline Noneza — $25

Capt. Blane & Chaplain Diane Wilson — $25

Anonymous — $380

Anonymous — $200

Anonymous — $100

Anonymous, in memory of my beloved husband — $50

Anonymous Wahiawa family for the Leilehua Mules & Hawai'i Warriors for providing a magical season of both athleticism & character — $50

Anonymous — $50

Anonymous — $10

Total — $10,395

Previous total — $47,289.64

Total to date — $ 57,684.64

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.