Singpai from San Jose, CA

I am a refugee; learning to drive will help me care for my family and be independent

I need drivers training lessons so I will be able to take our children to school and medical appointments, and eventually return to work.

Overview

I am a mother of two young children. I came to America with my husband as refugees from Burma. My husband, in spite of poor health, works two part-time jobs at minimum wage--sometimes more hours, sometimes less.

My goal is to learn to drive. I've been relying completely on my husband to drive everywhere. With the license, I can drive my children to their medical appointments, which is often, and very soon, my eldest child to school. Later, I will be able to drive myself to ESL class and vocational school while my husband takes care of the children and even work part-time!

I need the fees to pay for behind the wheel drivers' training. We have no other family to take care of our children if my husband is to teach me driving. We tried. Obviously, we cannot leave our children in the car while I’m learning to drive. Around where we live, my case manager has found lessons for a flat fee till the student passes. I'm determined and would like to be trained till I pass the driving test.

Meeting this need will help not only me, but the entire family, because I will be a self-reliant mother and woman. The driving license will make me feel independent--that I can do something on my own and literally move me to places where I need to, including returning to school someday--I would love to be a nurse.

Need funded!

Thank you for helping Singpai fund this need.

$685of $670

Need funded!

7 supporters

Validated

This need has been validated by Maha from Asian Americans for Community Involvement


Recent supporters

  1. $35
  2. $100

Maha

Validated

Validated by Maha from Asian Americans for Community Involvement (What does this mean?)

I have known Singpai through Center for Survivors of Torture at Asian Americans for Community Involvement for about a year. I have been serving her and her family as a therapist and case manager for emotional well-being and information on child care, head start, insurance, and medical access among other daily functioning needs. Singpai is determined to be self-reliant and succeed in her new country, new home.

About Maha

Presently at AACI's Center for Survivors of Torture on one-year contract as an intern. Provides psychotherapy and case management services to survivors of torture (who are refugees, asylees, asylum seekers, immigrants, US citizens) from all over the world. Ten years in community mental health,… Read more