Kia Ora and Hello to you all ❤️

On the 18th January 2025, early hours of the morning a traumatising event took place on my cousin Destiny Otton-Rakuraku in her own home with only her best friend Emma and her son Justice to witness it all. There's no sugarcoating on what happened that day, she was a victim of severe domestic violence, being doused in petrol and lit on fire left to fend for herself and had those two not been there to help her she'd be gone.

This day has caused nothing but immense hurt and suffering since. Not only on our girl but her whanau (family & friends) having almost lost her and to now navigate where we go next.

She is on the road to recovery; under going countless surgeries, daily hospital visits, mental health check ins and physiotherapy and with all of that we've come to realise, this is our new normal now. Having said that, it’s not been easy, Aunty Ali (Destiny's mum) has had to resign from her full time job to be destiny’s full time carer as she isn’t capable of living on her own, her independence is very limited. She requires a driver full time as public transport isn’t an option given her mental state and stability. They have one stable income in their house which is her dad Todd. As you can imagine it’s not been easy. Destiny has 2 teenage boys 15 &16 that require support from everyone as she physically and mentally can’t do it on her own. It’s taken its toll on everyone especially Destiny not being able to be the independent single mum she’s always been.

I do want to say a big thank you to every single person, message, donation and share from the previous Gofundme we had set up at the beginning of all this. Know that destiny and all of her family are forever grateful for your love.

In saying that, we have been met with further obstacles in destiny's recovery having to reach out to you all for help once more. All funds have and will be used directly towards destiny's on going treatments, her support system and her boys whilst her and Aunty Ali are both unable to work.

Big or small, we highly appreciate any kind of help given in this time and know we truly couldn't do it without you all.

Nga mihi,

Blakey.