It is not the best news but tonight we have some better news to report about Zita Flores and her children. The mother of 5 who was banned by the family court from her home and last week jailed today turned somewhat of a new page this afternoon. Flores and her children moved into a house which was built by one of her sons and she invited 7NEWS into her new home. Keith Swift reports on the bittersweet news.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Pitched in high grass and ensconced in thick urban bush this small wooden structure doesn't look like much from afar. But upclose it is a temple of hope and a fortress for family for Zita Flores.
Zita Flores, Moving into New Home
"I'm moving into that small little house. I have to make the sacrifice with my kids right now. I am having it hard. [Sobbing] I am really taking it hard because I have to make a sacrifice for my kids just to have a shelter with me and them."
This afternoon Zita along with her three young children moved into their new home, which squats in the swamps of a neighbor's yard. Half of the journey to home is made through this trail of garbage discarded cans, bags, and papers. Once you're at the step, well there is no step, and so Zita and her children have to climb up this ladder to reach their door. Zita welcomed me into her new home and I too clambered up the makeshift ladder and into the house. It wasn't easy and it is hard to imagine this climb becoming a routine for this family. Once inside well this was home: it's not much only one room for 6 people with a bunk bed, a butane gas tank, an opened window, and sparing furniture. Not much at all except a whole lot of love.
[Zita Flores Sobbing]
Keith Swift,
I don't know if those are tears of pain or tears of joy that finally you will be under one roof with your kids?
Zita Flores, Moving into New Home
"I am happy Keith. I am happy. As I said this is thanks to my 18 year old son who saw me suffering and built this house for me. In the days to come hopefully he will extend it so I can have my comfort in there."
Keith Swift,
And then up the street your former house remains abandoned…
Zita Flores, Moving into New Home
"It's hard for me because I sacrificed with my kids' father to build that house. So it's hard for me looking at it abandoned right now and I have to come into this small little house with my kids. I don't deserve this."
She feels she doesn't deserve it but Zita is resolved to live with it.
As mentioned in the story, the home which the family court banned Zita Flores from entering remains vacant right down the street from her new residence. That restraining order banning Flores still stands. As you saw, though she celebrated, Zita's new house is not much especially since she has three young children. So Zita is appealing for help from anyone who can help her and her children with a more stable and secure housing arrangement.
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