Metwa Iosia and her husband, Manatu, are always there for a neighbor in need.

Now they are asking for help.

The couple and their five children, four of whom are adopted, are struggling to make ends meet. The family is packed into a small apartment on Lusitana Street and live off one income. Manatu Iosia earns about $1,200 a month as a maintenance worker. The money goes quickly to rent, food and utilities.

For Christmas, Metwa Iosia is asking for a little comfort for her kids.

The children sleep on bedspreads on the floor, and their mother would like to replace them with bunk beds fitted with mattresses. Two bunk beds would be enough for the children, who range in age from 1 to 17.

"My children sleep on the floor in the living room, and when they wake up, they tell me their backs feel stiff or hurt," Iosia said. "I wish we could get two bunk beds ... so they will sleep better and wake up fresh."

Iosia and her family immigrated to the Islands from Micronesia in 2000. Their four adopted children came from other Micronesian families who could not raise them. Iosia said she felt obligated to take the kids and give them a better life.

The children are thriving in the Islands. One of the girls was accepted to Punahou School's summer school program. The others are doing well in school, too.

On school nights, Iosia takes her kids to the library for typing up reports and finishing homework. Sometimes, the computers are down or refuse to print, which frustrates the kids. Iosia said her children would love a home computer.

"If my children had a computer," Iosia said, "they would be able to use it to do their homework and be able to learn much more about the world."

Despite their tight finances, Iosia is quick to point out there are others in the Islands who are worse off and added that the family is grateful for what they have.

"I am so lucky," said Iosia, who volunteers at her church and also offers her services as a Marshallese translator for free to those who ask. In addition to bunk beds and a computer, the family welcomes any clothing or monetary donations.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.