Social Worker for De La Salle College, Chanel Alataua, says Covid-19 highlighted the need to urgently address the already existing issues faced by Pacific families within their school population. He says one of the confronting issues they saw during the pandemic was the loss of jobs for many students' parents. 

“A lot of our boys were actually staying home from school due to their parents losing jobs and for many of these households, there was a high need for food. Families also needed access to relevant medical resources such as RATS and masks, school uniforms and aid with utility bills.  

Addressing the loss of jobs, we had to come up with a sustainable solution because without parents working, we knew it was going to impact the kids." 

Alataua took the lead in hosting the school's very first career expo for parents who lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic. 

"We had around 200 parents attend and there were many successful outcomes. One parent who lost his job at a meat factory he worked at for several years is soon to be graduating from Police College. We also had a solo mother who wanted to get off the benefit so she could provide better for her kids." 

He says it is important to have a family and cultural approach in the way they address the needs of their students and families. 

“We believe in responses and solutions that are family centred. We know that it takes a village to raise one child, let alone multiple which we see here at the school."  

Alataua says that a highlight for him as the school's Social Worker is the regular contact with the families they have helped and being able to see them grow and succeed and realising that it is never too late to make a change or to ask for help. 

He emphasises the importance of supporting families as best as they can as it reflects on students' learning and aspirations.  

“There's a lot of potential in our students; I see the boys excelling in tertiary studies, trades, whatever they aspire to do. We are the Covid –19 generation and setbacks are a chance to look upwards again. I’m excited to see our boys become inspiring leaders."  

Alataua also expressed his gratitude for the partnership with PFL.  

“PFL eased a lot of pressure for our boys and their families; they offered financial support for families who were receiving no income during the lockdown.  

They also supported us with food package deliveries for families and students. We are so thankful.”