From Fear to Safety — Helping Our Family Build a New Beginning
Helping my mom, gran and brother leave uncertainty behind and build a safer future, surrounded by family and support. ❤️
Marlborough
Hi, I'm Mel. I live in beautiful Marlborough with my husband and our little girl. We're incredibly grateful to call NZ home, but a big part of my heart is still in South Africa with my mom, gran and younger brother.
Some may remember our earlier Givealittle, which shares more of our story and why bringing my family closer means so much to me: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/my-mom-saved-my-life
After years of searching for a pathway, Mom is finally getting close. She's progressed through her studies and now needs to complete the practical Part B of her Level 4 qualification in NZ. She has also sold the family property to help fund her study, relocation and fresh start.
Gran remains an important part of our plans. She'll be able to spend time with my uncle and family in Australia, while our long-term hope is to find an appropriate legal pathway for her to eventually settle permanently close to family.
My younger brother also hopes to study in NZ and build his future here, with family support around him. We hope some of the property funds can eventually help make that possible too.
Every donation helps with study, flights, visas and relocation, while allowing our family's own funds to stretch further. We’ve come so far and are doing everything we can ourselves. Every little bit of support brings us closer to what we’ve wanted for years: our family safe, supported and together again. ❤️
Use of funds
The funds will go towards my mom’s study fees (Level 3 & Level 4), visa applications, flights and relocation costs to get both her and my gran safely settled with family. This includes tuition instalments, travel documents and moving essentials.
Latest update
A New Goal & An Important Deadline 23 August 2026
I’ve updated our Givealittle goal from $12,500 to $10,000 and extended the closing date to 25 October 2026, and I wanted to explain why...
Mom’s property has SOLD! 🎉 However, an unexpected delay with the purchasers’ own property sale means settlement is now likely to happen later than we originally planned.
The timing matters because Mom needs to come to New Zealand to complete the practical Part B of her Level 4 qualification in November. If we can get her here in time, she can complete this important next step before the end of 2026 rather than having to postpone it until next year.
So we’ve made our fundraising goal much more specific.
Our new $10,000 goal will help cover Mom’s Part B course fee, her visa and her flight to New Zealand.
The property is sold and the settlement money is coming — we’re simply trying to bridge the timing gap so that a delay outside of Mom’s control doesn’t delay everything she has worked so hard towards.
We’re SO close now. 🩷 Every donation or share could help us get Mom here in time for November.
Thank you for continuing to support our family’s journey. It means more than you know. 🫶
Latest donations
This is wonderful Ruben, thank you so much for taking the time to read our story and support our journey! We appreciate it. 🤗
Thank you so much for your kind contribution Rebekah, we appreciate it! ❤️
Thank you so much for your kind contribution!
Thank you so much for your kind contribution!
Your gift brings us hope, thank you so much for your contribution! 🤗
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