SHIU Wati has had to fend for her family including a mentally challenged brother after losing her husband 14 years ago.
Ms Wati, who has two daughters attending secondary school in Labasa, depends on her monthly assistance from the Social Welfare Department.
"The allowances and food voucher has helped me support my two daughters and my sickly brother and I thank God for our social worker, Selina Lee Wah, who has been helping us," she said.
With the support she receives from Social Welfare and Bayly Clinic for her children's education, Ms Wati is grateful every day for having a family so closely knitted.
Describing her daily experiences she said: "I have to go and fill gallons of water from my neighbour and they have been kind to me.
"We don't have a toilet so we use the bush behind our house.
"For me, my two daughters' happiness is important and even though we are poor and can't afford a life that people in town enjoy, we are grateful to God for giving us life."
Ms Wati, who does not work, gets up as early as 4am to cook her children's breakfast and lunch for school. "It's a tiring job but I want my children to receive the best education and live a better life when they have their own families."
Social Welfare divisional officer north Josefa Camaivuna confirmed the family was receiving the monthly allowance and food voucher.