Helen Faamoe surrounded by her seven children. Photo / Martin Sykes
This story is the first in a Herald series celebrating the unsung heroes of our local communities.
There is surely no more important job than motherhood.
And few greater sorrows than losing a spouse.
Helen Faamoe of Mangere showed her children nothing but strength and hope when her husband Samuelu died in 2006.
Her seven children, aged between 4 and 20, knew their mum was
grieving and had been left to raise, fend for and support the family alone.
But they saw no weakness in her as she pulled them through the tragedy, daughter Colleen Faamoe said.
"She had on a brave face for us, and kept smiling and saying, 'Hey, we're going to be OK'."
Mr Faamoe was diagnosed with gastric cancer late in 2005, and died in early 2006.
"He was the man of the family, and it was sudden, how he left us so early. But now she's doing it all on her own. She is the rock of the family," Miss Faamoe said.
But Mrs Faamoe is dedicated to more than just her own children.
Her brother's and sister's children also benefit from her constant help and support, Miss Faamoe said.
"And her parents are getting older, so she's looking after them too."
Mrs Faamoe admitted she got tired sometimes, mixing full-time work with raising seven children.
But her love for her children and belief in the importance of motherhood kept her going.
"It's being able to take the essence of nurturing your child, and making sure they are in a loving environment. And my kids need to see that mum too can be strong, can be that role model.
"Being a solo mum certainly brings many, many challenges. It means having to stand up a bit taller when you have to do it all on your own.
"But when you get to a down time, it's just saying, 'Well, what is my purpose, who am I responsible to?' And then you start again."
