Retirement filled with important mahi for busy Rose

The positive impact Rose has on her community through her volunteer work is enormous – whether she’s helping prepare food parcels or supporting seniors, Rose is always making a difference. And it’s a love of helping others that keeps her going.

“Making people happy makes me happy. It’s such a privilege and it’s important to me that I can give back to society what I got from society”, Rose says.

Rose moved into her Kāinga Ora home last year and her Housing Support Manager, Bernadette, was blown away when she discovered just how much volunteer work Rose is involved in.

“I first met Rose when we had a Hui to see how she was settling into her new home. At her age, for Rose to still be out there in the community doing important mahi to help the people she loves and loving it… I just find Rose truly inspirational,” Bernadette says.

With such a busy schedule and no plans to slow down, Rose’s home is perfectly placed to help her to do the incredible work she does, day in and day out, with a bus stop right outside.

“My home is so peaceful and quiet and the neighbours are all very nice,” says Rose.

“Where I live is so convenient. I don’t drive, but having a bus stop so close to my home enables me to do my volunteer work which gives me immense pleasure and real happiness,” Rose says.

Rose packing food parcels at H.O.P.E.

The organisations Rose volunteers for couldn’t be more thrilled to have her on their team of regular volunteers – including the Humanitarian Organization for Poverty Eradication (H.O.P.E), a not-for-profit organisation working to improve the lives of former refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants as they find their place within Auckland’s vibrant communities.

H.O.P.E Chief Executive Officer Dr. Malik says Rose’s passion, determination and dedication to helping others was evident as soon as she reached out to see if she could volunteer her services.

“I’ve known Rose for more than two years now and her dedication and commitment to helping others is what is so great about Rose,” says Dr. Malik.

“Rose is also a great communicator and a multitasker with endless energy and a strong focus on everything she does. Her understanding of the specific needs of seniors also ensures we provide services that meet the needs of the wide range of people we support.”

Rose’s contributions are so valued, that last year she was awarded a Certification of Appreciation from H.O.P.E. One of the other organisations she volunteers at also awarded Rose a Letter of Appreciation for her volunteer efforts.

“To receive this sort of recognition at my age for the work I am doing, makes me immensely happy,” says Rose.