Filo and Leauma’s story.
Filo and Leauma left Tuvalu looking for a brighter future, but struggled to afford rent, and ended up in hostels for years. Now they have a beautiful home, and are loving life! Hear their story below:
“We first came to New Zealand for a holiday in 2008. We are from Tuvalu, where Filo was a midwife, and Leauma was an accountant. Our son and daughter had left home and were studying at university.
“We liked it here, and we thought we should try to stay because there are big problems in Tuvalu. The tide is rising, and it was already affecting our home. In 50 years or so, lots of our country will be underwater. We wanted to start a better life, and thought maybe our children could move here in future too.
“We started staying with family in Porirua, and got work permits. Filo worked as a carer for people with brain injuries, and Leauma worked as a cleaner. We started trying to become Permanent Residents too. Even though we were working, and very good at budgeting, rent was so expensive that we couldn’t find a house. So we moved into a hostel. We had one small bedroom, and everything else was shared. At night we would cook on an electric frying pan and eat dinner on our bed. We did that for about five years. There were times when we felt so hopeless that we thought about giving up on our dream and going back to Tuvalu, but we had strong hearts and faith, so we continued to believe and pray for an answer.
“When the owner of the hostel wanted to renovate, we had to leave. We went to Work and Income for help, and they found emergency accommodation in a lodge while we waited for permanent social housing and we kept looking for a place we could afford. We ended up staying in the lodge for two years.
“Then our case manager at Work and Income introduced us to a Mission Community Support Worker, Maara, to help us get into a better position. We were so glad when she came and visited us – she was very good! We were thankful to have her by our side because we always knew she was trying her very best to help us, and she always followed up with everything she said she would.
“And in two months of being with her, she found us a great house! She helped us get set up, by supplying furniture and bedding. We felt so lucky. But after a few months, they decided to demolish the building. We had finally settled down, and we had to find another house. So we told Maara and she started working with Kāinga Ora again, and only two weeks later we had a brand new house to move into! We were so excited and thankful. In July last year, we moved into our home here. It’s perfect for us, close to our family, church, and GP, and we have nice neighbours.
“We also started working with a Mission Financial Mentor, Jane. She was very good too, and she supported us with lots of things, including helping us to receive our entitled benefits. She also helped us get booked into the Social Supermarket when we really needed it.
“Now Filo is retired, and Leauma still works part-time. We can manage our bills and we are good at living on what we have. Even coming into winter now, we don’t have to be worried. Our house is warm and comfortable, and we can always contact the Mission if we need anything.
“So that’s our life now. After really struggling for nearly 20 years, we have no more stress and are so joyful! The continuous support the Mission gives makes us believe there are people who always care about us. We are so grateful, and we all need these kinds of people in our community – this is how God works!
“To everyone who is supporting the Mission, you are really helping those like us who are trying their best but just can’t do it alone. You have given us peace, and we really appreciate you. Please do continue supporting because this work is benefiting people’s lives!”
