We have funding!

After form filling, e-mail exerts and a hasty hand-in we finally have some funds to create a creche at group!

I had to attend the Community Board Meeting, Major Jenny Rowan included, last Tuesday night and make a small presentation about who we are and why we needed the funds.  Somehow I had the false idea that I was just going to answer some questions and so was completely unprepared when it was announced that the groups requesting funds would make a 3 min presentation!!  Thankfully I'm used to speaking in front of others and it all went smoothly. 

Guru was very supportive, putting in an extra good word for us for our involvement in the Race Relations Day, which I'm sure helped. Funding granted and today I received a letter to confirm that the money would be put into our newly formed bank account. 

Jenny Rowan gave me her card at the meeting with a note attached saying that she would like to attend one of our get-togethers.  So we'll have to work out a time when the maximum can attend so that they can see their money is being well spent!!

Now to find someone willing to entertain all our little darlings on Fridays.  If anyone knows of someone that may be interested let me know. Otherwise enjoy your holidays and see you at the Walk on 6th May.

Holiday Time

After a busy term we are now having a two week break for the school holidays.  Thanks to everyone that gave time, energy and resources which made our fund-raiser for Japan such a success.  We raised a grand total of $637.20 on the day of our stall and then an additional $100 from the washi eggs and origami being sold at Te Ra School.  The funds will go to Oxfam Japan and Save the Children. Oxfam is focusing on Mothers and babies, and Save the Children is supporting displaced children through 'children spaces' at refuge centres.

With the rain setting in outside I thought it was a good time to post on here about Yumiko's next project.  If you have some spare time during the next two weeks to create something for these children, many of whom have lost everything, they will be warmly received.  Have a great break and see below for details from Yumiko:

FUKUDAMACHI KINDERGARTEN PROJECT
Two weeks after the quake, I spoke with my cousin, who teaches at Fukudamachi Kindergarten. The teachers had just completed most of the clean-up of the kindy and were now ready to welcome the children back. While almost all 200 students were safe, some had lost their homes, leaving them without clothing, toys and other basic necessities. Many children will be traumatised from the disaster.
The head teacher of Fukudamachi Kindergarten has welcomed an offer of a care package of clothing and toys which will be distributed to children in need.
We welcome any donation of handmade new items that reflect the following considerations:
?       Children are aged 3-5
?       Clothing items are required more than toys.
?       Clothing can include skirts, shorts, tops, dresses, polar fleece, hats
?       Japan is heading into spring, but it is still very cool in the mornings/evenings in this part of the country (in March it is still snowing!).
?       Please consider weight and bulk
When delivering your items:
?       Include details of age/size and if relevant, gender
If you?d like to...
?       Take a photo of you/your family/group and your item and email it to hapachica@gmail.com please do this as soon as possible (preferably before delivery of item)
?       Include names and ages of those in the photo
These will be assembled into a montage for the kindergarten.
Photos of the kindergarten and its children can be seen here:
http://www.fukudagakuen.com/
Handmade items can be purchased if you are unable to make them. Purchases at felt aid (http://felt.co.nz/shop/feltaid) also help those affected by the Christchurch earthquake.
Please deliver items between 10am-2pm 28th April 2011, to 113 Riwai St, Paraparaumu 5032, or on Monday 2 May to the Te Ra school office