The following letter is one that was left in the Safe House, by the Mama of one of the families that we had supported from where she was calling for help as her ex-partner was driving the streets hunting her down, to safehousing her and her sons, and on to them leaving to live their lives freely for the first time in nearly a decade:
“As I sit here eating my last meal, I sit and unveil the journey that has just happened and still to come.
I sit with a different admiration for myself, my 2 boys and our future life.
I hold my Mana and Love with security that can not be broken.
I have re-discovered the potential in myself with a gentle acknowledgement of purpose.
I was and felt broken with little understanding of it’s like to just BE!
Today-Tonight clearing and packing up has struck my emotions of Happy Sad and most of Love and Gratitude.
This whare has protected myself, my whanau.
It has given me warmth and a freedom of safety, as I close the door on This Chapter I weep with a heart full of Love.
Not only am I stronger and determined to aspire to my goals and dreams, my entire family have (Our Lady’s Name) back: with her full heart and a smile that never dulls from my face.
(Advocate’s Name) you were the first stars that lit the darkness with the support of your amazing team!
My waka that I steer now has a sky full of stars that map and leads me to an abundance of Love for myself.
I am Captain and Mama of 2 young sons, I now can say and believe that I will not steer us wrong.
I will keep and protect my wairua-tapu as it is of great honour.
To all who have a part in re-discovering my strength, I thank you all, my tears fall as a sign of Love as Tears are the richness of Aroha.
I am strong.
I am blessed.
I am Wahine-Toa.
Nga Mihinui kia koutou katoa.
He aroha-koremutunga
Naku noa
(Our Lady’s name and her two sons’ names)”
Our Lady’s experience, as written in her own words, in her letter to our team, is what every member of our team work hard to provide to the Women and Children who we have the privilege to serve.