More challenges, more determined
The Facebook page Humans of South Auckland aims to tell stories that are real, raw and relatable. This week’s featured Human is Doris
In 1997 my family and I moved to New Zealand from Hong Kong in hope for a better life and new opportunities. The first couple of years were really tough.
My husband struggled to get a job, my three children were bullied at school and I was forced to take a break from studying due to bad back pain.
However, I knew that challenges were always there, and the more challenges I faced the more determined I became.
As soon as I could I returned to studying. Fifteen years later, I graduated with my doctorate degree specializing in budgeting process (accounting).
During that time all my children attended low decile schools in South Auckland. I had high expectations that each of them would do well at school despite English being a second language. In order to help my children, every day before school I coached them so they would stay on top of their learning.
I’ve always believed that support from the family is equally important to the learning that takes place in the classroom.
All three of my children have gone on to succeed in their own careers. I am grateful that New Zea- land has provided opportunities for us each to discover our own potential.
‘‘I've always believed that support from the family is equally important to the learning that takes place in the classroom. All three of my children have gone on to succeed in their own careers.’’
Humans of South Auckland is an idea based on Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York Facebook page. They have recently collected 140 stories to make a book that will be distributed back into the community for free. More stories can be found on their Facebook page: Humans of South Auckland OFFICIAL or website www.hosa.co.nz. They are a team of volunteers who believe in developing hope and pride in the community. They aim to do this by telling real stories of everyday South Auckland people. The HOSA vision is: To develop hope and pride in our South Auckland community by sharing stories of people as individuals, not stereotypes or statistics.