Mothers in Bermuda are struggling to eke out an existence for themselves and their children in the face of low-paying jobs, high clothing and food costs and a lack of affordable housing.

One of those women is Tina (her name has been changed to protect her identity). Stationed here 22 years ago as a member of the US Navy, she married a Bermudian and made the Island her home.

Her first marriage ended in 1989 but the 40-something with three children recently remarried and is striving to improve her family's quality of life.

Tina's 18-year-old daughter recently joined the workforce, her 16-year-old son is pursuing his GED and her 12-year-old son is in school.

The family lives in a dilapidated two bedroom apartment which costs them $850 a month to rent but they are behind in their rent by 12 months.

Tina recognised that some would say $850 for a two-bedroom apartment was reasonable rent but pointed out: "This is a ratty two bedroom.'' And she said she reckoned they had not been evicted yet because the place was in such disarray. "I have been living in the same place for almost four years,'' she said.

"It is an old place. The roof has not been painted in at least seven years.

It is cracked, parts of the ceiling have fallen in and the water pipes leak.

"There are buckets under the sinks. The pump is so old it moans under the slightest bit of pressure. The drinking water source seems to be contaminated and I have written down this situation and presented it to the acting landlord to no avail.'' Tina explained that the owner of the property died about a year ago and the person taking care of the trust was the temporary landlord for the property.

She keeps food on the shelves through working part-time jobs and doing volunteer work for groceries, by going to catering firms in the hope of finding leftovers and through visits to the Salvation Army.

And her family stays clothed and the apartment furnished through visits to second hand stores. She noted: "I rarely, rarely -- maybe once a year -- buy anything new.'' What else can she do, she asked.

"For me to be able to get a job that pays enough to provide a decent, appropriate, clean residence for three children and properly feed them and clothe them -- these are growing children, you know -- requires, reasonably, about $4,000 a month and that's $1,000 a week and that's two full time jobs because, basically, what most people in conventional positions get is about $500 per week.'' Tina continued: "So unless someone is specialised in a field, they have to have two or three jobs and if their children are not 14 or 15 years old, or even if they are, there are child care issues and for a single parent you have to manage time schedules and a household and maintain a reasonable work schedule.

"The cost of living becomes extremely taxing.'' She said one problem was that people were not willing to acknowledge how large the gap was between the haves and the have-nots.

Mothers in the front line "When you go home to your house at night and have comfort there are those of us on the other side of the spectrum who are minimally, if at all, considered and, you know, why should we be because the realities are so far removed from each other.

"The inequities of the financial echelons in this society are much larger than most people are willing to acknowledge.

"If your parents have died and you have no inheritance or family assistance available then you are really on your own and that is where a lot of us are -- on our own hoping that a measure of compassion will somehow develop.

"Seemingly it will be a miracle that will provide this echelon of society with a more reasonable lifestyle.'' When asked about financial support from the children's father, Tina said she never pursued her former husband for child support payments after their divorce because she felt that if he cared for the children then he would voluntarily make payments.

He once took her to court to fight for custody of their children but, by doing so, he alerted the court to the fact that he was not paying any child support and it demanded that he do so.

He started making the payments but then stopped and was taken back before the courts. Tina appeared before the Magistrate and said she was not interested in pursuing her ex-husband for the more than $3,000 he owed and washed her hands of the matter.

"It's not that I do not want support and help to upgrade the lives of my children,'' she stressed. "It is just that his intervention cannot be purchased.

"I'd rather live how I am living. I get by. I definitely do not have any luxuries -- no cable, long distance service, computer, VCR, credit cards or bank account.

"It's not that I don't want these things. I have evolved to live very simply so I am not stressing about getting money.'' But she is still seeking a better life for her family.

Tina used to work in retail but now does volunteer and part-time work which she said she enjoyed.

"Basically I am working part-time and doing volunteer work because I believe people should be able to help each other.'' At one of the volunteer organisations, she trades her time for use of the facility's computer so she can upgrade her resume.

"I am hoping to get a job in a public relations position that will pay several thousand dollars a month,'' she disclosed.

But it is not about the money, she underlined.

"If I could find a job that would give me a place to live, groceries, transportation, dental and medical coverage -- I wouldn't require any money if those needs were met.'' Tina said the key to improving her family's life was a better housing situation and her frustration at the current and previous Governments' inaction to resolve the Island's housing situation was obvious.

"I do not understand why Government says there is an affordable housing shortage but there are lots of vacant houses and the navy base in Southampton has been up for potential grabs, so to speak.

"What's going to happen with it and the accommodations that could be renovated at the lessees expense to some degree -- fixing walls, painting, replacing knobs and that sort of thing.

"Some of us are very capable of doing this and our ethic is progressive in terms of living environments however the availability of these places is non-existent while discussions of a new golf course is pursued.

"I am not complaining. I am alive and have this sense of purpose.

"I am just constantly miffed by the lack of honest and assertive development by this Government to provide a more reasonably priced housing margin.

"I do agree that the adage `God helps those who help themselves' is still a working rule, however you have to have something that is available for you to help yourself with and affordable housing is non-existent.''