Working at Pacific Homecare is a family affair for Support Worker and January’s Employee of the Month Rosa Sefo, who works alongside her sister Maria Pritchard.
Maria graciously connected Rosa with Pacific Homecare when she arrived with her family from Samoa in 2006.
“It was great to start a new job and have my sister there also,” Rosa says.
Rosa felt comfortable taking on the new role as a Support Worker for four main clients, as well as relieving for others.
“I had been looking after my elderly parents in Samoa before moving over, so I was used to the type of work Support Workers had to do,” Rosa says.
Initially, Rosa found the job trying at times.
“Sometimes I found it difficult dealing with people’s demands – I had to learn to be patient, listen to my clients’ needs and support them.”
She has now established great relationships with her clients – including one lady who she has nursed for seven years.
“I work with a disabled Cook Islands woman in her 40s, doing her personal care and housework. It took a while to get used to her needs and requirements, but now she is like another family member to me. We have a great rapport.”
When she began caring for her next client, a Pakeha man in his 60s, she says her job felt easy and natural to her. She became more flexible, adjusting to each individual’s needs.
Being there for people who need help is the most rewarding and satisfying feeling for Rosa. She encourages anyone else with an interest to try their hand at support work.
With five children aged from seven to 18, and a husband at home, life is never dull for Rosa. But she wouldn’t have it any other way.
And when things get a little too busy, she need not look far for a boost or assistance.
“The Pacific Homecare team was quite small when I first joined,” she says.
“But now it is growing and it’s such a great team to work with. Everyone is very supportive of each other.”
