Sanitoa Lologa has been a client of Whānau Ora for over 5 years. Struggling as a single mother in South Auckland with 4 young children, she knew it was time to reach out for some much-needed help. “I was in a really dark place, and I couldn’t see a way out… I couldn’t afford to put food on the table, and we were really struggling”. Sanitoa says the hardest thing for her was not being able to provide her children with the life she had once envisioned. She had dreams for her children’s education and future, that seemed impossible to reach in their current dire financial situation. Thankfully, the team at Whānau Ora were happy to assist Sanitoa in her endeavors for a better life. Sanitoa explains, “Whānau Ora have helped put food on my table when times have been tough, and this has been so important for the kid’s. Without food, the kids can’t focus on their learning”.
As well as supporting Sanitoa and her whānau with their immediate material needs, Sanitoa says Whānau Ora has also been a huge help with her outlook on life. “There was a time where I really couldn’t see how I could keep going, where I have been in the darkest place. After receiving support, I now know there are people who care. I can be more positive, and I can wake up each day grateful to be alive”.
Despite some challenging times, Sanitoa has fulfilled her dream in making sure her children succeed in their educational pursuits. Two of Sanitoa’s children are currently studying their final year at univeristy – her daughter studying law and her son studying engineering. Her other son is working in Samoa as a missionary and her other daughter is working full-time at a job she loves. “There’s no way my whānau would have achieved so much success without the support of Whānau Ora. My children know the first people they need to thank once they graduate is Whānau Ora… they know how much they have done for us”.
An important message Sanitoa wanted to send out to the community, is that you should never be ashamed to ask for help. “I know there are people who may be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. We all need help at one point or another, and we use that help as steppingstones to better ourselves.”
If you are in need of support, please reach out to our Whānau Ora team through the email: whanauorateam@pacifichomecare.org.nz.
