Creating a safe, healthy and happy environment was my priority

For Adi, creating a safe, healthy and happy environment for her tamariki and herself was a priority. My social worker through Whānau Resilience told me about the Wahine Safety Programme, and I knew straight away I wanted to sign up.

“After leaving an abusive marriage, my biggest priority was creating a safe, healthy and happy environment for my tamariki and me.

Coming into the programme, I felt optimistic, though I was a little worried that my limited knowledge of Mātauranga Māori might hold me back. But the facilitators were such gifted teachers. They made these concepts and tools, like the Te Kawe o te Marae framework, feel accessible and meaningful”.

She explains that after leaving the programme it took a while to use some of the tools she had learned. But with consistency, she gathered the confidence and conviction to keep using them.

“Once I started using those tools and letting that knowledge guide my decisions, the possibilities felt truly endless, especially when it came to building something safe and healthy for my family.”

And the possibilities for Adi continue.

“I’ve gone back to school and completed a Health and Wellbeing Certificate and an Adult Teaching Certificate. And I’m working on a few creative projects in the meantime, before I start my degree in July.

“So, when I said the possibilities were endless, what I really meant was that it gave me hope. Hope that I could achieve anything I set my mind to.”

With such positive progress in her own life Adi’s advice to others who may be thinking about making change in their life or maybe joining Te Whare programmes is about taking the first step.

“I know it’s a cliché but knowing your “Why” really was everything. “Why am I making this change?” “Why am I even doing this programme?” Those questions were my first step.

“Having that anchor, that “Why,” was what kept me grounded and gave me courage. Because even good changes can be terrifying.

“There’s also this quote I came across recently that really stayed with me: “Forgive yourself for not knowing earlier what only time could teach.

“I think it’s so important, when you’re going through self-development or any kind of personal growth, or really any change at all, to be kind to yourself. To forgive yourself for the decisions you made when you didn’t yet have the knowledge you have now.”

Ngā mihi nui Adi | Thank you for sharing your story.