Home » People's Experiences » The Beauty and the hospice
Having worked in a soup kitchen at the age of 12 Hana Snowden is no stranger to caring for people no matter their circumstances.
It’s this empathy learnt at a young age which compelled the 30-year-old beautician from Lower Hutt to volunteer for hospice work.
The eldest of six children, Hana comes from a family descended from the Te Rarawa tribe. Her parents have been involved in community work, including prison support, since she can remember.
“Everyone should do something for someone every day, especially in this country. We are the lucky ones. We don’t dying from hunger, or lack of money and medical care like in other countries around the world.” Hana also supports a CCF child and UNCIEF.
After walking past people with plastic buckets collecting money for hospice Hana wondered what hospices were and how they helped people. So she rang them up. After visiting and talking with staff at the Te Omanga Hospice, Hana just knew she could assist.
That was nearly two years ago. She continues to devote one morning a week to the hospice, leaving others in charge of her business Ataahua (Ataahua means beautiful in Maori). Hana is keen to extend her volunteering to offer beauty therapy such as hand and foot massages and nails.
She finds being a volunteer very satisfying and fulfilling way to live. “Helping people in hospice and having a great time talking to staff and patients is a great way to spend a Friday morning. I love helping out at the hospice”.