Christmas support for a Christmas they deserve

Devoted auntie Soraya has been caring for her nieces – and with help from the Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai, she was able to give them the Christmas they deserved. 

For the past few years, Soraya and her partner have had shared care of her brother’s two daughters, 14-year-old Nina and 3-year-old Aria. Soraya talks about them with deep aroha:

“I’ve been really close with Nina. She has been through a lot, she had some problems at home and at school, but she’s thriving now. She’s into listening to music, clothes and jewellery – especially branded things! She’s very helpful – always a big help for everyone in the family.”

“Aria has lived with us since she was born. She’s the best age now! A lot of fun, talkative, full of energy. She loves getting out to the playground and playing with slime and bubbles.”

But recently life hasn’t been easy for Soraya and her whānau. It’s been a daily struggle to make ends meet - ever since she was injured at work.

Soraya has always worked hard, first as a lifeguard, then a courier driver, and most recently in a fast-food restaurant. But everything changed when she sustained a shoulder and neck injury on the job. She tried to work through the pain, but it became unbearable.

“Every time I just moved my arms, it was very sore. I tried to keep going but I knew something was wrong, so I went to the doctor.”

Her doctor told her to stop working while she underwent medical treatment and her body recovered. Although the pain in her neck and shoulder has almost gone, Soraya continues to suffer from debilitating headaches and chronic fatigue - and she’s waiting for further specialist treatment.

While she knows she needs to focus on her health for now, Soraya has found it frustrating not being able to return to work and support her family. In the meantime, they rely solely on the income from her partner’s job as a warehouse storeperson.

“Sometimes we manage to pay the bills. But without me having a job, it's been very difficult.” 

Their rental home has leaky pipes, which has driven up their water bills. The house is really cold, but heating is a luxury they reserve for when 3-year-old Aria is with them: 

“When the baby 's over, we'll use the heating for her because we don't want her to get sick.”

“Most of our money goes on rent, bills or gas. Some weeks we have a hundred dollars to spend on food, sometimes nothing at all.” 

Soraya has taken a budgeting course to try and stretch their income further, but it can’t solve the underlying problem: “Even with the budgeting, we still end up with nothing, because practically everything we've got goes on the bills. Our income is just not enough.”

“Sometimes that really gets on top of you,” she says. Between the financial stress, health challenges and caring for her whānau, it’s been a tough time for Soraya - “it’s been an emotional ride.” 

But in the weeks when there is no money left for food, she knows she can count on the Mission for support. A box of nutritious kai from the Mission helps her family get through until the next payday.

And at Christmas, support from the Mission has helped Soraya make the day special for her two nieces. 

Last Christmas, she received a food box filled with all the ingredients for a festive meal to share with her family - a whole chicken, fresh vegetables, pantry staples, treats, and even a pavlova. “It was nice to have something special to eat.”

And most importantly for Soraya, the Mission helped with gifts for her nieces. “I used to be able to buy them presents, but I wouldn’t have been able to get them anything last year. So I’m really glad the Mission could help me with that – it felt good to be able to give them something.”

“Aria loves Christmas. She likes to rip open her presents and see what’s inside.” Among her gifts last year was a Moana storybook – a perfect present for the little girl who had just watched the movie.

Soraya has happy memories of celebrating with her nieces: “setting up the tree with the kids is always fun, watching them open their presents.”

“It's been very, very helpful to have support from the Mission at Christmas, especially when I've had no work. We’re so grateful!”

While Soraya is still receiving specialist medical care for her ongoing health issues, she’s hopeful about returning to work soon: 

“I know if I was working, we'd be better off. We’d have enough to eat and everything would be ok.”

Until she is well enough to return to work, the Mission continues to be a lifeline for Soraya and her whānau—not just at Christmas, but all through the year, whenever they need it the most.