Fire devours all Thais had
Mums here to provide for families back home say they are now living in ‘a nightmare’
Two Thai mothers came to work in New Zealand so they could better provide for their families. But fire destroyed their flat in upmarket Remuera and left them with only the clothes on their backs.
Since, Parada Seejun, 34, and Supap Songtarn, 51, have been staying in a makeshift room above a shop on Dominion Rd.
A Givealittle page has been put up by Asian Family Services to help the two get back on their feet.
Seejun, who has a 14-year-old daughter in Thailand, said she came here so she could “send money back home” and did not imagine she would ever need charity.
“When I got the job offer, I was so happy because I thought New Zealand was going to be where my dreams can come true,” said Seejun, a traditional massage therapist.
“Never, ever did I imagine that I will be living in such a nightmare.”
She recalled the night, on December 12 last year, when she heard a “loud bang” and opened her eyes to see her Basset Rd flat in flames.
Soon, 15 fire appliances were attending the large blaze, which started about 3.30am. Although Seejun and all the other occupants were safe, none of their belongings could be saved.
Songtarn, who has daughters aged 19 and 23, said she didn’t get any content insurance because she thought her landlord’s insurance would cover it: “There were about seven people staying in the flat, including the landlord.”
The women did not want to name the shop where they were staying, fearing it could get the owner in trouble.
“It is just a small room, like a storeroom, where we have our two mattresses,” Songtarn said.
“But it is still shelter over our heads, and the shop owner is kind enough to let us stay.”
However, Songtarn said life had been a struggle since the fire.
“Because we lost everything, including our passport, we have nothing — no food, and even nothing to cook with,” she said.
“We have been eating very simple food, like instant noodles and maybe some vegetables with rice.”
Social worker Meaw Appel said the women had approached Asian Family Services for help because they didn’t know where else to go. The women had not received Work and Income help due to their status as work-visa holders.
“With no family or relatives in New Zealand, it means they have been sleeping rough. What they need is really just basic stuff, like clothing, kitchen appliances and maybe just a little money to help them get back on their feet.”
Returning to Thailand was not an option as they needed to continue earning to support their families.