Edward is determined to give his children something he never had: the chance of a better life. With food support from the Mission, he’s working hard to break the cycle of trauma and poverty. 

Edward’s own childhood was tough: “Growing up wasn’t so easy. I came from a broken family. I was out on the street at 12.”  He spent much of his youth in and out of institutions – state care, psychiatric wards and prison: “I was in boys’ homes from the age of 14, because my mum wasn’t looking after us. It wasn’t her fault – after she died, I found out her story, how much of a bad, hard life she had.  That’s when I understood.” 

Now a father himself, Edward is determined to give his children a different upbringing – with stability, opportunities and love. But it hasn’t been easy. Chronic health issues, the trauma he carries from his youth and limited schooling mean he’s unable to work. “It makes me sad sometimes because I want the best for them.”  

He has to rely on government support to provide for his family, but with the rising cost of living, it’s a constant struggle to put food on the table for his growing children, including a 15-year old son with a big appetite: “He likes sports. He plays rugby. He’s a real growing teenager!” 

School lunches help to ease the burden, but Edward is finding it increasingly hard to afford nutritious food: “A bag of chips and some dips are cheaper than actually buying meat and vegetables, bread to go with it.” 

“That’s why I started growing my own – silverbeet, celery. I’ve got a garden, so I put some vegetables in through the season.” 

He also gathers food when he’s able, collecting mussels, seaweed, puha and watercress to help feed the family. 

But even with all that effort, some weeks there’s simply not enough. “When [my children] need things for school, like clothing, school fees, rugby boots, we have to really sacrifice a lot.” 

Winter brings extra financial pressure, and Edward is worried about paying the higher heating bills. “That makes us struggle for the next week. We just have to go without something else to pay that.” 

In those weeks, there’s less money for the basics: meat, bread, milk. Edward and his partner will sometimes go without food so their children can eat. At other times, the whole family has to get by on just two meals a day. 

That’s when Edward comes to foodbanks like the Mission for support. “It’s a big help. If I can get food, I’m rapt, because I know we’ve got something until the next payday. It fills the gap.”  

But with many food banks closing or cutting back their services, Edward often has to try two or three places before he can get food. 

He’s working really hard to give his children everything he missed out on: “I can’t get them everything they want, but as long as they’ve got the essentials: a roof over their heads, clothing, food, an education, a loving home. I always tell them I love them – because I didn’t hear that ever when I was growing up.” 

His determination is paying off and Edward is really proud of his children: “I’ve brought them up to be thankful. And they’re successful! [My adult children] have gone out and got careers.” One daughter is working in hospitality and he has a son who is now a truck driver.  “I was like, wow, you didn’t turn out like mum and dad! We must have done something good!” 

Thanks to Edward’s hard work and support from the Mission, his children are thriving. Edward is creating a better future for his family.