Right connections find pathway for busy mum

Claire Fahey (left), has found a great employee in Sonia Kiriona who reckons she has got a great boss.

Whanganui mum Sonia Kiriona loves her work at Whanganui Safe and Free, an organisation working to heal and prevent sexual abuse in the community.

At one time, Ms Kiriona believed that her work prospects were pretty dismal.
She had invested a lot of time, energy and finances in to training for work but she had not found a job.

She did not have experience and she worried about the having to declare her significant vision impairment to potential employers.

Things changed when she registered as a job seeker with Whanganui Workbridge where the team have supported her job search and recommended her to suitable employers.

"Jan Lawton at Workbridge has stuck with me all the way," says Ms Kiriona.

"I found it really hard on my own and the Workbridge team have helped me break through those barriers."

Whanganui Safe and Free manager Claire Fahey, said she was impressed with Ms Kiriona's skills from the outset.

"This is a great match for both the employer and Sonia and the rest as they say, is history," says Mrs Lawton.

Assistance from the Ministry of Social Development Mainstream Programme was available to create a position for Ms Kiriona to work as a kaiāwhina assistant.

"Sonia is excelling is in her role and has taken on additional responsibilities as well," says Ms Fahey.

Ms Kiriona completed her Certificate in Social Work at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa during her first year on the job.

"She even continued to study while in hospital after a second cornea transplant," said Mrs Lawton.

Now that she has had successful surgery on both eyes, Ms Kiriona says she can really forge ahead with her work.

" I have learned a lot in this new role and I've learned about myself and what I'm capable of," she says.

She can now see her way to a better future for herself and her four children aged eight, seven, four and five months.

Work, study and a new baby sounds like a tough juggling act but Ms Kiriona said the support she has makes her feel like she can "do anything."