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

All go for Japan Fund-raiser

Thanks to everyone that came along and organised things for last Saturday's Race Relations day event.  It was a fantastic few hours with lots of delicious food to sample and wonderful music that you couldn't help but dance to!!  Next year they hope to combine it with the Sustainable Garden Show so hopefully it will make it a bit easier for people to come and check it out.

 

Once again we have a busy week ahead! 

 

Wednesday 30th March

Hopefully you all got Yumiko's e-mail about Wednesday Washi egg making.  Please e-mail me if you didn't and need the address.  The origami folding session on Friday was great and so lovely to see a table full of women working towards a common goal, the kids were great too which helped immensely ;).

 

Friday 1st April (April Fools day)

Walk along the Waikanae River and Waimanu lagoons.  We will meet in Otaihanga Domain by the wooden bridge to begin walking at 10am. This is a fairly flat walk and will be somewhere between 30 mins to 1 hour.  Older kids will be fine on running bikes, there are some roads to cross to caution is needed, and buggies are fine too.  Sometimes the track can be wet so wear some good footwear unless you want wet feet.

 

Saturday 2nd April

Fund-raising stall at Paraparaumu Beach Market from 0730am.  This will be where we are selling all your hard efforts of folding, creating origami and making washi eggs.  If you can give some time to help run the stall it very much appreciated.  Takes the pressure off a bit and makes toilet breaks possible!