Hailing from small island Savai’i in Samoa, Lita was eager to have a fresh start in Aotearoa, to allow herself and her whanau more opportunity. However, the journey to immigrate to New Zealand proved more difficult than she might have first hoped.
Unfortunately, Lita faced a number of challenges when trying to secure residency for her whanau and herself. Some people who were meant to be advocating and supporting the whanau through this difficult transition, were extremely unhelpful. Lita said, “the journey was really hard, the person who was meant to be helping us actually made getting our residency so much harder”.
Although hope seemed lost for Lita, after reaching out to Whanau Ora, she got the help she desperately needed. “The Whanau Ora team were so helpful, especially Karaat. They helped me when times were tough with food, clothing, furniture and car repairs.” Lita praises the support from Whanau Ora as instrumental to the whanau securing their residency here in NZ. By alleviating the other daily stressors in Lita’s life, she was able to focus on securing her residency.
Whanau Ora Navigator Karaat, says she is passionate about this line of work, as she has worked with vulnerable people for a very long time. “I started my journey with Saint Vincent DePaul, volunteering in supporting the homeless… this is where I discovered my passion for helping others”.
“Just come in, because they are amazing, and I have received so much support”.
Lita talking of Whanau Ora Services
For the future, Lita says all she really hopes for, is that her family are happy and healthy. She also says she want to be an advocate and support person for other immigrants struggling to get their residency. She urges those who do need help to reach out to Whanau Ora. “Just come in, because they are amazing, and I have received so much support”.
Thank you so much Lita for sharing your story with us today!
If you or someone you know could benefit from the support of the Whanau Ora services, please reach out by emailing whanauorateam@pacifichomecare.org.nz.
