Caring for Baby and Great-Grandmother: Hand-to-Mouth

Alexander, age 2, lives with his parents and a bed-ridden great-grandmother in a one-bedroom apartment. His mother stopped work for maternity leave to take care of her son and the elderly woman. Before giving birth to the baby she was a graduate student but now does not have the means to complete her studies. Alexander's father has a military doctor’s educational background but was demobilized from the Ukrainian army because of frequent salary delays and an absence of housing. Since it is impossible for the family to get a housing registration, the father cannot obtain Moldovan citizenship and work in his profession. Therefore, he picks up odd jobs and the family lives from hand-to-mouth often with no food.

The apartment they are currently living in belongs to Alexander's maternal grandparents who immigrated to the U.S. in 1998. Having left their daughter to take care of the sick grandmother, they promised to send for her but have failed to do so. Taking into account the necessity to look after both a young child and an elderly woman, it is easy to see that the family's financial situation is desperate. Their monthly income, including the great-grandmother's pension, is $30, which does not provide for a lot, especially food.

Alexander needs good nutrition, especially fruits and vegetables. He receives a fresh food package twice a month through the Children's Initiative.