A young mother named Matilda is facing overwhelming challenges as she raises her daughter alone after the child was born with a severe medical condition that requires specialized care. Living in difficult financial circumstances, Matilda says she has spent more than two years trying to keep her child comfortable while searching for a chance at proper treatment.

Matilda shared that her journey began several years ago when she was in a committed relationship with the man she believed would become her husband. The couple dreamed of building a family together, despite having very limited financial resources. They agreed to work hard and support each other while preparing for the future of their child.

Shortly after those plans were made, Matilda became pregnant. Due to their financial situation, she was unable to attend regular medical checkups during her pregnancy. She believed everything was progressing normally until the day she gave birth.

According to Matilda, doctors informed her that her newborn daughter, Kevine, had been born with a serious condition affecting her abdomen, requiring immediate medical attention. The baby was transferred to a larger hospital, as the initial facility was not equipped to manage such a case. Medical staff explained that surgery would be necessary but advised that it should be performed at a later stage when the child was stronger.

“They told me my baby needed time, but that treatment could not be delayed for too long,” Matilda recalled. “I held on to hope, even though I did not know how I would afford it.”

The family remained at the hospital for nearly two months while Kevine received basic care. However, when it became clear that the cost of long-term treatment was beyond their means, they were discharged and advised to return once they could manage the expenses.

Matilda says it was shortly after returning home that her partner left without warning. “He packed his things and walked away,” she said. “That was the last time I ever saw him. From that moment, it was just me and my child.”

Now more than two years later, Matilda continues to care for Kevine on her own. She says her daughter experiences ongoing discomfort and has difficulty eating a wide variety of foods. Most days, Matilda struggles to provide even basic nutrition, relying on small daily earnings from selling fruit on the street.

“Some days I make the equivalent of one dollar,” she explained. “That money has to cover food, rent, and everything else. Medical care is something I can only dream about.”

A neighbor who occasionally looks after Kevine while Matilda works said she has witnessed the family’s hardship for a long time. “I hear the child crying often, especially at night,” the woman said. “I help when I can, but I am also struggling myself.”

Matilda admits that the emotional toll has been heavy. She says she avoids speaking about her former partner and focuses entirely on her daughter’s wellbeing. “She is my responsibility, my strength, and my fear all at once,” Matilda said. “I only want her to have a chance at a better life.”

As Kevine grows older, Matilda worries that time is passing without access to the treatment her daughter needs. While she continues to work and care for her child with determination, she says uncertainty about the future weighs on her every day.

“My greatest fear is not knowing what tomorrow will bring,” she said quietly. “But as long as she is here with me, I will keep trying.”