I just posted a really detailed answer, but it didn't appear and now I've lost it. Hmmmm.

Basically, we're in South Africa right now and the economy is awful. At one of her jobs she earns the equivalent of roughly US$3/hour.

Our initial plan was to just spend a year here so she could catch up with friends and family, and we'd both work/save money and head to my country where life is much easier. It's just such a struggle. Didn't realize the work situation here was so terrible. I have no idea what we'll do. Like I said in my first post, I could have my family help me book a flight home so I can look for work there instead, but who knows how that will go and how long it will take. I absolutely hate the idea of leaving my GF behind.