You Helped Destiny Get Things Cooking in Her Life

Destiny first experienced support from The Salvation Army through transitional housing for her and her young family. But it was when she discovered our cooking programme that her self-confidence really started to shine.

‘Before I got help from The Salvation Army, I was so anxious and scared of where life would take me. I first heard they could offer help for someone like me through my case manager for transitional housing, and since then the Sallies have offered me and my little family so much.’ Destiny has four-year-old twin boys, and also looks after her 13-year-old little sister. She saw our cooking classes—run in many centres across the country—as the ideal opportunity to develop her cooking, budgeting and shopping skills.

She wants to see her boys grow up strong and make good food choices, and has been eager to save money on food. ‘Like a lot of littlies, my boys are honestly so fussy. One likes meat and sweets, and one loves fruit and veggies. You could say I’m still getting their palates used to trying new foods, but I also love to try cheap and easy food challenges from books and online recipes.’

The Salvation Army cooking course helped Destiny hone her cooking skills, and also helped bring her out of her shell. ‘I am a very shy person, so I was a little nervous at first, but I loved my cooking classes.

The atmosphere was warm and content; the tutors and other learners were so friendly. They made me feel like I could be myself. And it was so good learning how to cook new things that I never knew were so easy, cheap and delicious. ‘I learnt so much, especially how to make tomato relish.

The taste reminded me so much of my nan’s homemade relish. She always had tons and tons of tomato relish, and I’d have it with everything—from sandwiches to hot meals, and even boil-ups!’ When Destiny eventually finds her forever home, she plans to start growing her own veggies. In the meantime, she’s starting to get her kids interested in gardening. ‘My mum has lovely plants, and my kids love to help water them when they’re at their grandparents’ house.’

Destiny’s confidence is growing too, thanks in part to her newfound love of cooking. ‘From the situation I came from before I met The Salvation Army, I can now say I am really positive about my and my three kids’ futures.’ ‘The cooking class was a real turning point for me finding myself again and discovering ways to be a better parent to my kids. It wasn’t just the skills I learnt. It was everything. From bonding and sharing kai with the lovely workers and volunteers, right around to taking it home to your whānau.

There are so many services they provide that I didn’t even know about. For example, Mum and I did the Building Awesome Whānau course which teaches families skills such as communication skills and setting boundaries. ‘The Salvation Army have given me so much; I feel I would like to give something back in the future. I sit here and look back at what I’ve done, and I see how much it has helped me and my family.’