Support for Spouses, Children, and Dependents
“How Heroes Help Gave My Family the Stability We Needed”
Name: Maryam Ahmed
Family Member: Wife of Sergeant Ibrahim Ahmed
Service Branch: Nigerian Army
Location: Kaduna State
Status: Widow
Children: 2 children, ages 7 and 10
Maryam Ahmed’s life was forever changed when her husband, Sergeant Ibrahim Ahmed, tragically lost his life during a peacekeeping mission in Mali. It was a loss that shook her to her core. As a wife and mother of two, she found herself thrust into the unimaginable challenge of grieving for her husband while trying to maintain stability for her children, Zainab (10) and Musa (7).
“In the beginning, I didn’t know where to turn. I was overwhelmed with grief and the responsibility of being both mother and father to my children. I didn’t know how to navigate the financial and emotional support that was suddenly needed. I felt so alone,” Maryam recalls with a heavy heart.
The sudden loss of her husband left her not only emotionally devastated but also financially strained. Without Ibrahim’s salary and benefits, Maryam was left to shoulder the full responsibility of caring for her children. She was unsure how to manage everyday needs, from paying bills to ensuring that her children received a proper education. At the time, Maryam’s job as a primary school teacher barely covered the basics, and she feared for the future.
That’s when she reached out to Heroes Help. Having heard of their work supporting the families of fallen soldiers, she decided to inquire about potential assistance. She had no idea that this would be the turning point in her and her children’s lives.
“From the moment I spoke to the support team at Heroes Help, I felt a sense of relief,” Maryam says. “They listened to me, understood my needs, and didn’t treat me as just another case. They genuinely cared about the well-being of my family.”
Through the Support for Spouses, Children, and Dependents category, Heroes Help immediately connected Maryam with financial assistance to cover some of her immediate costs. But more importantly, they helped her access a variety of long-term support services that she hadn’t known existed.
Heroes Help provided Maryam with counseling services to help her cope with the emotional trauma of her husband’s death. They also assisted her in securing educational scholarships for her children, so that Zainab and Musa could continue their studies without the burden of school fees.
“One of the greatest things Heroes Help did was connect me with a local support group for spouses of fallen soldiers. It was there that I met other women who understood my pain. We became like a family, supporting each other through the toughest days. The emotional support was just as important as the financial help,” Maryam explains.
In addition to this, Heroes Help arranged for career coaching for Maryam, helping her to build skills that would allow her to increase her income and create more financial independence. The charity also connected her to legal advisors who helped her navigate the complex process of accessing her husband’s benefits, ensuring that she and her children were properly supported.
“Today, I can breathe again. My children are thriving in school, and I have the emotional and financial support I need to keep moving forward. I don’t feel as lost as I once did. Heroes Help not only helped me with immediate needs, but they’ve empowered me to build a stable future for myself and my children,” Maryam says with a smile.
Now, as Maryam looks to the future, she feels hopeful. With the help of Heroes Help, she’s building a new chapter in her life, one where she can honor her husband’s legacy by ensuring that his children have the best possible opportunities.
Heroes Help’s “Support for Spouses, Children, and Dependents” programme is designed to ensure that families of service members are never left behind. Through a range of financial, emotional, and educational services, we are here to support the families who sacrifice alongside our heroes.
