Talamaivao Family – Porirua

Jun 20, 2014

Nina and Paul and their five children have lived in their family home for many years. Nina’s father made some improvements to the house but sadly passed away before completing the work.

As there were serious problems with leaks, damp and mould, they did as much as they could afford; adding insulation, heap pump, DVS and carpet. Unfortunately the person they hired for the bathroom renovations didn’t do a good job and they were left with a loose shower unit, gaps in the gib, an undersized toilet and an unplumbed vanity.
The shower door eventually fell off and smashed over their daughter.

Just after their new baby was born and thanks to the support of a private donor, Habitat was able to renovate the bathroom, re-gib the areas of black mould, remove the separate leaky toilet and open the space to increase the size of the children’s bedroom. Habitat also installed a partition to divide the bedroom for the boys and girls, added a gate to keep the little ones away from the busy road and fix some rotten exterior weatherboards. Also the interior of the house was repainted.

The family is repaying the cost of the project to Habitat at an affordable level so that the funds can be used to assist more families in housing need. They are so delighted and grateful, that they are thinking of ways to “pay it forward” by way of service to their community.