A teddy bear for Julia
The boarding house baby whose Third World living conditions in South Auckland were exposed last week has moved into fresh digs – albeit at the same lodge.
Eighteen-month-old Julia had been sharing a roll-out foam mattress with her mother Julia Mika and Mika’s partner in a mouldy, shoebox-sized room infested with fleas. The Pacific Pearl Lodge is a few hundred metres up the road from the Oceanic Lodge, in the suburb of Favona.
Its owner of five years, Allan Eaton, admitted Julia’s room had been overcrowded – it could legally house just two people – and that he ‘‘should have been more vigilant with room inspections’’.
Eaton said he had kicked out several residents, including Mika’s partner, in order to comply with council regulations.
And he also maintained a zero drugs and alcohol policy.
‘‘It’s a safe place for kids and I haven’t had the police here for – touch wood – six months,’’ he said. ’’We’re their only option, or homelessness.’’
In Parliament this week, Opposition leader Andrew Little questioned why toddlers like Julia were living in ‘‘Auckland slums with rats and cockroaches and violence’’.
Prime Minister Bill English said councils had the power to shut down residences that were dangerous to the occupants, and that Julia’s parents might be eligible for an increase in Working for Families payments.
In Favona, Julia’s new room is the same size as her old one, but has a coat of fresh white paint, new carpet, and a double bed with pillows.
When the Star-Times last visited, she and her mother were sitting on a dark duvet, their belongings stacked neatly on shelves instead of heaped against walls. Julia chose a brown teddy bear the same size as herself from a basket of donated gifts, smiled and hugged it tightly.
Mum Julia Mika said: ‘‘Good things will come and it will be all right’’.
Dozens of offers – from baby booties to rooms in homes as far away as Rotorua – rolled in after the story broke. Generous donors sent clothes, toys, and assorted basics to the family. Staff at the boarding house said excess donations would be distributed to other children living there.
Jackie Clark, founder of women’s refuge support group the Aunties, helped coordinate donations. She said she ‘‘wouldn’t advise’’ people to deal directly with boarding houses due to their unpredictability.
Clark suggested donating to local budgeting services, victim support centres, and Women’s Refuge.
The Ministry of Social Development has been made aware of the family’s living situation.