Fear has a way of making the world feel very small. For one mother of four, arriving in Tanilba Bay in 2019, life felt exactly like that—uncertain, overwhelming, and fragile.
She came with nothing. No money. No security. Just her children and a heart weighed down by fear. In those early days, it was her mother and stepfather who helped steady the ground beneath her feet. Still, the pressure didn’t ease. When her youngest turned six, the threat of losing her support if she couldn’t find work became very real.
“I was overweight, scared… and I prayed to Jesus Christ for a job and help to lose weight.”
Those prayers were whispered through long days of cleaning houses and collecting recycling, just to afford essentials like nappies. Feeding a family of five on a $250 budget meant simple meals—French toast, pancakes, egg soup—but her children remained content. She kept going. One step at a time.
Then came a phone call she never expected.
Church 4 Life Charities reached out for an interview.
That moment changed everything.
What began as a two-day position became something far greater. Today, Violeta stands as a Team Leader of Tanilba Bay Op Shop—six years strong—providing stability for her family and giving back to the very community that once lifted her up. Violeta loves her customers and wouldn’t be where she is today without the support of her fabulous volunteers. And somewhere between sorting donations, displaying stock, and keeping up with the pace of the op shop, she found herself getting fitter too—proof that purpose has a way of changing more than just your circumstances. The woman who once felt broken now walks in strength, confidence, and renewed purpose.
Her journey hasn’t been without pain. Over the past 2.5 years, she quietly carried the weight of her mother’s cancer diagnosis, smiling on the outside while fighting fear within. Through constant prayer and faith, her mother was healed. A victory she holds close to her heart.
Her story is a powerful reminder: we never truly know what someone is carrying. A kind word, a smile, a small act of compassion—it can mean everything.
At Church 4 Life Charities, we are so grateful to walk alongside people in moments like these. Because of the generosity of our supporters and volunteers, stories like Violeta’s are possible. Lives are being rebuilt. Hope is being restored.
And her message is simple, but profound: never give up. You are loved. And your story is not over yet.
#Church4LifeCharities #1000LivesChanged #Church4LifeOpShopTanilbaBay
