A family with Samoan connections in New Zealand, is turning the pain and sorrow of losing a beloved family member, to an opportunity to help others. 

The Mika family, who lost one of its young members, Josiah Mika, has setup a foundation to help disadvantaged children and young people get better access to sports, arts and other recreational activities.

After a year passed since the death of Josiah, his family - including father and mother, Jerome and Dr Julie Wharewera-Mika and brothers JJ, Joevahn and Jaden - set up The Rise + Shine Josiah Mika Foundation to improve the well-being equity for children and young people around New Zealand and, in particular, South Auckland and the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Josiah Mika's story and the Foundation was featured in The NZ Herald.

The deceased died at the age of 9 two years ago from a rare form of epilepsy that can affect completely healthy children; known as febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome, or commonly referred to as FIRES, reported the NZ Herald.

Jerome Mika told the NZ Herald that it has been very tough for him and their family.

"He was a great league player and a great performer,” he said. “He was like a comedian - the one that always made everyone in the household laugh. He was just a very fun boy." 

Furthermore, Mika said the foundation aims to help disadvantaged children and young people get better access to sports, arts and other recreational activities.

In its first year, it has already helped various groups and causes, sports club teams and young people needing support.

The charity is officially launching a new website tomorrow at a special fundraising event in central Auckland that will celebrate its first birthday.

The event will see those in the community who have benefited from the charity over the last year sharing their stories.

A silent auction offering sports memorabilia and merchandise from former All Blacks greats. Sir La'auli Michael Jones and Sir Tuifa'asisina Bryan Williams will also be held.

Mika acknowledged that although Josiah's life had been cut short, there are many other children out there just like him who could benefit from such a cause and go on to live out their dreams.

"There are little moments when we think about what things would've been like if Josiah was still here. But there are plenty of Josiahs in the world with lots of potential and we just want this to be a vehicle to help kids just like him."