“The tutoring has helped me to catch up on all the school I missed before Dad died.”

“The tutoring has helped me to catch up on all the school I missed before Dad died.”

Kristy and her 3 brothers have lived with their aunt, uncle and 3 cousins since their Dad died in a drug-related crime 2 years ago. Their Mum continues to struggle with her drug addiction and grief and has had little contact with the children since their father died. The first 12 months were particularly hard for the children, their cousins and their aunt and uncle as they all tried to adjust to their changing family. Kristy and her brothers found it hard to fit in to the rules and routines of their new home because they were used to a lot of independence and freedom. Their cousins found it difficult to share their parents’ attention and began to misbehave to gain recognition. The children’s aunt and uncle struggled to financially support themselves and their 7 children, which resulted in marital difficulties and feelings of resentment.

Two years later, the family feel like they have come such a long way. Kristy’s aunt and uncle sought help from a Mirabel counsellor who helped to give all members of the family an opportunity to talk about their feelings, their frustrations and their hopes for the future. The family home now has a two-bedroom bungalow attached to it, providing the much-needed extra bedrooms and privacy for Kristy’s two teenage cousins. Kristy and her 3 brothers have started weekly tutoring and are now almost at the same educational level as their peers. The family has regular holidays at the Mirabel House providing an opportunity for them to have a break and enjoy each other’s company. Kristy, her brothers and her cousins are thriving in an environment where they feel safe and loved and her aunt and uncle say that their life is busy but happy.