Since coming to New Zealand in 2000 with her husband and two children, Seema has lived her life caring for others.
I like this house because it is handy to the city, and the view. The full moon looks so beautiful. You can see the moon and it is light on the water.
“The first two years were a struggle, but after that we settled in. After two years we bought a house. I started volunteer jobs, then I got a job with Armourguard, then as childcare relief teacher for about 7 years.
“For about 13 years I was a Barnardos carer in my home.”
Now her children are grown up, both chartered accountants, and there are three grandchildren.
Seema keeps busy managing the house, cooking, going to a weekly Pilate class, and walking four kilometres almost every day.
“When I was not feeling well we used to call cleaners but we didn’t like their job at all. I also like to cook Indian foods from all states of India.”
Seema is looking forward to going to India for a few weeks to attend a family wedding.
Seema and her husband recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Her family organised a big party with 175 people, a DJ and decorations, two cakes, and dancing.
“We did mini marriage rituals. I felt very special. It was very elegant.”
Seema goes to the Mary Potter Hospice day unit at Porirua and enjoys meeting different types of people.
“I like the people. If I stay in my community my focus is like this [small], but if I go out my focus is bigger, like a wide angle. I like the way they talk nicely, and explain how to do things. For example, last week the Police came and talked about scams. You get not just art, but different things as well.”
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