While she was excited about re-entering the workforce after being a stay-at-home mum for 13 years, her clothing was amongst possessions taken from her during the bitter break-up.
“I didn’t have anything suitable to start work so I tried getting assistance from WINZ,” says Margaret. “They were happy to help, but their options were limited due to lockdown and I couldn’t find anything appropriate for the type of work I’m doing.”
She approached Te Arawa Whānau Ora who asked her to forward links to suitable clothing online, which were purchased directly for her. She was also given a supermarket voucher to help feed the family.
“They asked me to send the quotes through and they’d take care of it. And they did. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be. It’s meant we’re getting on our feet and one step closer to being independent. It’s important for my kids to see that. Their ‘normal’ has been wrong for ages, and now I’m trying to show them this is how it should’ve been.”
Margaret says she’s rapt to be out in the workforce again.
“I’m one of the lucky ones who has whānau support and my mother watches my kids while I’m at work. Without that, I wouldn’t have been able to get a job because my youngest has high disability needs. But it’s all coming together.”
*Name changed for privacy reasons.
