Kia Orana Kotou katoatoa to all our people around the world
❤The Punanga Aroa is a group founded for the purpose of embarking on this project to fix a confronting issue that has arisen here in Rarotonga. Many of you will not be able to fathom nor believe that this could occur in our paradise.
❤We Cook Islanders pride ourselves of our family and cultural values. However, during this covid a dire problem has arisen from the back yards in our villages to which disbelief is unfathomable.
❤We have found elderly men and some women in homeless squaller, abandoned and no doubt, left to fend for themselves to the end alone.
❤To name and shame is fruitless as this will not address the issue. Our place isnt to Judge but to open our hearts to those in need and show them we care and we are willing to do something about it. So here we are….. a discovery of forgotten elderly people found in the back yards of some properties.
❤These elderly people are mainly from the outer islands whom have migrated to Rarotonga in the 70’s and 80’s for work and some went onwards to NZ.
❤Most of these elderly people have been living as guests on Rarotonga, have no land and no family and they have been treated as guests with the family’s they live with.
❤We as a people, pride ourselves in believing that we do not abandon our loved ones into a home like they do overseas, we will take care of them like they took care of us.
❤Hence the reason I am addressing all Cook Islanders on this issue as we need all of your help and we at Punanga Aroa have established that this will not be a government project, but a project that will require ongoing support from the Government in terms of Health care and support in other areas.
We believe you, the people will want to be part of a worthy cause.
❤This project will draw both positive and negative discussions and we welcome both. Negative comments will tell us how much people do not know and cannot believe.
❤This is a privately planned projected to be funded, by the good hearts of Cook Islanders from around the world.
❤This is not a political project for any political points, this is a rescue package for our paradise.
❤Plans have been laid out and Pa Ariki has kindly donated land as we move forward with the approval process.
❤Transparency is of the utmost importance to us and will be made clear. All donations and proceeds will all be going on to Punanga Aroa project only. Accountability of every expense will be processed like a business, unlike many previous projects that have been poorly financed and mismanaged. This is no such one and we understand, people will be sceptical about this, due to previous bad experiences.
❤Thank you all for the spirit of love and support we have recieved so far. May the lord continue to give us strength and the drive to ensure our project continues and our Target is reached.
God bless you all
on behalf of myself
Chairman - Sylvana Puia & our
Project Management Team of Punanga Aroa ❤
