A Way in from the Cold

This time last year Kaloni, her husband and their two children were living together in one room, in a cold house and with winter fast approaching. The couple could not find a house, or a job. But one year on as they prepare for a new winter, they have their own home, both parents have jobs and they are supporting themselves - thanks, Kaloni says, to The Salvation Army.

In a quiet, understated way, Kaloni describes last winter as being ‘sad’ as she and her husband slept on a mattress on the wooden floor in her uncle’s house, while her two children shared the bed. There were 10 people living in the cold two bedroom house and things were getting increasingly desperate.

Having struggled to find support elsewhere and unable to change things on their own, Kaloni visited The Salvation Army in Waitakere for help.

‘These people are very kind people. When I came and asked for help, they really looked after me and my family. For whatever reason, they accepted me when I asked for help.’

Both Kaloni and her husband were out of work and with a lack of income, combined with a poor credit rating and the high Auckland rents meant they hadn’t been able to find a home. However, social worker Rosanna Alefaio was determined to help them, supporting them and advocating on their behalf, Kaloni said.

‘She helped us look online for housing and to talk to agencies and we were lucky to be able to get a house on a private lease. We moved into our house last year.’

Having a warm, dry home and space for her children to have their own rooms had made a huge difference, but it did not solve all their troubles, Kaloni said. The Army also provided blankets for the cold and helped them get furniture to get set up - without having to go into debt and further damage their credit rating.

‘My husband found a job, but it wasn’t a full time job. So The Salvation Army helped me and my family with food.’

Things were still tough, especially as the family generously went over and above to take in and care for three children who needed help, Rosanna says. Slowly and surely though, with the support of Rosanna and other Waitakere staff they were able to get on their feet and reclaim their independence.

Rosanna encouraged and supported Kaloni in looking for work, and it was great news to hear that she found a job in June, Rosanna said.

‘She’s a lot more independent than in the past, and it’s good that they don’t need to come back here.’

Kaloni did not want to dwell on how things could have turned out that winter, if The Salvation Army had not been there to help to turn their lives around. Instead, she says, she’s looking to the future and she’s proud that she doesn’t have to go back to the Army for help anymore.

‘It has been a long time since I have been to The Salvation Army for help with food and things. I haven’t been back this year. We got set for our lives.’

Waitakere Community Ministries Manager Rhondda Middleton says this winter things are the worst she’s seen in 15 years at the centre. They’ve seen a huge increase in the number of people with jobs who are still struggling and the needs clients have a much more complicated.

“The need is at a different level. People are coming in with multiple things that are happening in their lives, it might be housing, budgeting, parenting, family violence.’

Rents are costing some of their clients 70 per cent of their income, but it is often simple things like a high winter power bill that take people from surviving to desperation. People often feel ashamed about needing help, but helping is exactly what her staff are there to do, Rhondda says.

 ‘We want people to fit in and not feel like they’re the underclass. We look at the need and we find a solution.’

Please support our Winter Appeal now, so that we can help shelter families like Kaloni’s from the storm.

* Note that image shown is not of client, to protect their identity