In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the solo father of four had visited UnitingSA’s Toy Room to select something special for each of his children – Deng, 6; Dimo, 5; Ajok, 3; and one-year-old Abraham.
For Paul, access to the Toy Room was a lifeline. With his family struggling to find secure housing and make ends meet, buying gifts for his children had been out of the question.
But in the midst of this hardship and overwhelming stress, Paul realised he could depend on UnitingSA for the support he needed.
This year, Paul has once again registered to visit the toy room, ensuring his kids will have gifts under the tree while he continues working, with the help of UnitingSA social workers, to stabilise his family’s situation. This includes recently moving into secure housing in the inner northern suburbs.
It’s been a stressful few years for Paul, especially after his separation from his wife, which left him as the sole caregiver for their children.
Originally from South Sudan, and a former social worker, Paul gave up his job when the family began to face difficulties.
“In my culture, you grow up in an extended family – brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles,” Paul says.
“They are all there to help you when things get difficult. It doesn’t work like that here, and you can feel like you’re on your own. I had a lot of help from Sister Joyce and Sister Gina from the Adelaide Day Centre or Homeless People – they helped me get my house.”
Paul also credits his children’s primary school for being a constant source of support, meeting his kids’ daily needs and enhancing their wellbeing during school hours.
When Paul’s relationship started to break down, he took a night job so he could be home with the children during the day. But the pressure of balancing work with family responsibilities took its toll, and it became harder to cope. That’s when Paul, near breaking point, reached out for help and was connected with UnitingSA.
Looking back, Paul says reaching out was one of the best decisions he could have made. Through UnitingSA’s Emergency Relief and Men and Family Relationships programs, Paul found the help he needed to stay positive and focused on what mattered most – his children.
“I was needing help for my family to stay together, but I also realised I needed to see someone to help me. That’s how I came to the Men’s Program about three years ago, and I still go,” Paul shares.
“David helped me move forward and be positive. He helped me think about what was most important to me – my children. I don’t want to let them down.
I was needing help for my family to stay together, but I also realised I needed to see someone to help me.
Last Christmas, Paul was able to use the Toy Room to find something special for his kids. “It would have been so difficult not to have something for them, and I didn’t want to disappoint them.”
As his relationship broke down, Paul says the support from UnitingSA’s workers helped him keep his children with him and eventually find stable housing.
“Anyone who is having trouble, the first step is to reach out to people who can offer counselling and help you decide what’s important to you,” he advises.
UnitingSA helps more than 12,000 South Australians each year. The not-for-profit organisation is all about respect, compassion and justice.
From humble beginnings in Port Adelaide in 1919, UnitingSA has grown to support people across metropolitan and regional South Australia with a range of services including emergency relief, mental health services, NDIS support, family and community services and more
How does the Toy Room work?
UnitingSA works every day with people who are doing it tough, including many families in need of gifts and food during Christmas. Parents and caregivers are invited to visit the Toy Room in the weeks leading up to Christmas to select a gift, stocking fillers, and wrapping paper for their children, who would otherwise go without. Not only does this provide parents the joy of choosing a gift their child will love, but our donors can be assured that their gifts are going to children who will delight in unwrapping them on Christmas morning.
Help a family like Paul’s this Christmas
You can help bring a smile to a child’s face this Christmas. Last year, more than 500 families visited the Toy Room, and UnitingSA needs your support to keep it stocked and ready for the festive season ahead. Your financial donations also provide essential emergency relief for families facing hardship or homelessness, helping them access food, clothing, and hygiene products.
To donate, visit unitingsa.com.au/christmas
