An initiative to help vulnerable families has promoted a sense of community spirit in west Auckland as people grapple with the lockdown.
The Awhi Shed started out as providing food and care packages to anyone in need, but has turned into a larger project, including getting solar showers to homeless people.
Awhi Shed food parcel Photo: Awhi Shed
Awhi Shed Aunty Tuafono Teio tells Jesse Mulligan it all started in the last lockdown to provide relief for families who had relied on school lunches for their children.
"We were driving around when we were in level 4 and the kids were waiting outside the schools ... waiting for their lunches, and I pulled over and said 'what are you doing? It's level 4 you shouldn't be here', and they were like 'we wanted to pick up our free lunch', that broke me.
"That's why we come up with kids' packs, so they have a bit of joy for themselves in lockdown, because they're so worthy, they're our future.
"We came up with the name awhi shed, where awhi is like giving, sharing, just loving one and another within the community.
"To have a space now for people to approach and have accessibility to things where there's no judgment is the reason why we do this for all.
"In the end, we are only the receivers to become the givers, but this is all community force."
Initially, she was hesitant about even opening up her account for donations, she says.
"I was like 'no, no, we can do it [on our own]' but [my daughter's] words were 'if we don't have support from our community, it won't last'. And that's actually the truth, because I'm in lockdown and doing all the hours, but when we're out of it, there's not as much hours."
And since her interview aired on 7 August, she has been inundated with support and kindness as well as up to $7000 in total, up from the $70 that was there were prior.
"I had so much awesome feedback, just words were enough for me, it was never about the money but to have people actually believe in this movement it just made it just so much more prettier.
"For me, that $10 or $20 that could be someone's last bit of money and it's like oh my gosh, I know what it's like to just have that $10 or $20, so for them to choose us to be the receivers is a big thing.
"It's almost like I can't take without giving back ... I don't know how you turn off a bank account but that's what I wanted to do. It was so good and I appreciate everything you all do just by reaching out."
They now have picked up 10 solar-powered showers which she says will not only be useful for rough sleepers, but also flood-affected households without power.
"This was only a dream last year to know we could make this possible for people that are homeless, so for them to be able to have a hot shower, for me, was a big thing."
When the floods hit, she was up before dawn to start prepping care packages.
"We just gave it out, we left them on front doorsteps, we left them in mailboxes, so we were contactless, but we know that would've helped."
One local had given birth to a baby just eight days prior, she says, and so many households had lost all their possessions.
"We made packages for kids ... they don't want to say anything because they don't want to add to the problem of stress already in lockdown."
As well as serving hot meals for homeless people, using food donated by various trusts, providers and groups, she also prepares frozen meal packs.
"We don't take pictures because it's not about being in the media. This is the first time we've actually had media interaction, because I needed to put my humility aside because it's not about me, it's about the people."
She says she grew up without community support and is now filling the gap of what she didn’t have.
"It’s nice to be called Aunty in the area … so my story is broken but now I’m healing and I’m healing by doing something that wasn’t done for me."
She says she is praying for every one who donated and supported the initiative.
"Thank you so much to everyone who listens, you make my heart bigger but I hope it leaves you with a bigger heart as well, because without the community, we're nothing.
"If you could pay it forward even to just one person, even if it's not us, the country will be a better place ... Love is free, awhi is free."
If you'd like to support Tua and the Awhi Shed, you can get in touch at awhi.shed@gmail.com or donate to Awhi Shed: 03-1503-0014345-002.
