I do hope you all enjoyed Te Wiki O te Maori in September (Maori Language Week.) I really enjoyed hearing te reo more frequently on our airwaves and in meetings. I am keen to extend my knowledge of tikanga (custom) and te reo so I embrace any opportunity that presents itself. NZ statistics tell us that 61% of tamariki in care have Māori ancestry. It is vital that these tamariki have free access and exposure to their cultural uniqueness so their mana (dignity) is maintained and supported throughout their time in the care of people outside their whanau, hapu and iwi (extended families). By using te reo in daily life we normalise the uniqueness of being Māori and honour its place in our society.
Spring is definitely in the air in Auckland. I have loved meeting some of you through various connections and trainings. Please do feel free to jump on the phone and give me a call or an email. I know that the tamariki we have in our care bring all sorts of highs and lows – do remember that a problem shared can be a problem halved.
I ran (The effects of) Maltreatment & Family Violence Training workshop on Wednesday 19 September in West Auckland. The title and subject matter is serious and yet the day was still enjoyable gaining new insights and learnings from each other. Thank you to those who attended and contributed.
In October, I am offering this training workshop again, but on a Saturday in Grey Lynn. Often it is easier to attend in a weekend rather than a weekday so if this suits you then please register. See the calendar schedule here.
Some of you got to enjoy the FREE show “Razzamatazz” which was fun for the littlies – thank you to the Kids Foundation for making tickets available to Fostering Kids NZ.
I am sure some of you are looking forward to the school holidays and for others it’s a challenging time. Try and create some space for self-nurture in order to keep your batteries charged.
You may have seen on Facebook that I posted a notice about Camp Adair. This is a camp opportunity for caregivers and families that sounds awesome.
The YMCA would like to offer places for two families to attend the next Family Camp, Friday evening, 16 November – Sunday afternoon, 18 November at YMCA Camp Adair. The camp, which is fully funded by the YMCA, is cabin based per family. Camping is such a Kiwi rite of passage, but it is not something all families get to experience together and YMCA Camp Adair is giving families the opportunity to create special family memories. Any family can apply for Family Camp, eg solo, blended, any ethnic background, sickness in the family (which means lack of time spent as a family), all abilities both mental and physical (disabled parents and children are welcome) and all socio economic positions.
Families can be up to 8 members residing at the same address, includes grandparents, mum, dad, nephew, niece, etc. (All children must be 5 YEARS and older). Some activities are not suitable for the young children.
The activities are all fun, but they have much deeper meaning. To participate in the activities families must not only work together but care for each other.
Please contact Helen if you would like to take up this offer and she will send the necessary forms: Application, Health and Police Vetting. Unfortunately, Police Vetting takes a long time to be cleared and that is the reason we need all paper work by Monday 8 October.
Please email asap to get the forms and allow time to get them done. Helen.H@nullymcaauckland.org.nz.
Keep an eye out for the support groups in your area and do let me know if you would like to set one up as I am happy to help.
FASD support group – Tuesday 9 October – Lounge at the Church, 2 Heaphy St, Blockhouse Bay, 7.00pm-8.45pm (The church is called ‘Church of the Saviour’).
North Shore support group – Tuesday 30 October – Café Windsor, 550 East Coast Road, Mairangi Bay, 10.15am- 2.00pm (children welcome – there is a playground).
My region covers from Papatoetoe, Howick, Central, up to Wellsford and also the West. I enjoy going to the various areas within my region so I look forward to our paths crossing.