KOHA 2 TAMARIKI FOR CHRISTMAS

The festive season is nearing and Christmas trees are already going up. Children are demanding what they want for Christmas and their parents are either purchasing or putting it on layby. Well that's for some. Different story for others who are not as fortunate.

My name is Brenda Waititi.

I am 23 years of age and a mother to my 2 beautiful kids.

I am based in Te Kaha, Eastern Bay Of Plenty.

My strive in life is; To give back to my community.

The past 2 months I have been trying to figure out how to give back to my community.

I knew I wanted to do something for the festive season but wasn't quite sure what.

Was it to bake things for our kaumatua and hand them out? Or to cook a big feast and open my doors. I was really unsure...

Being employed as a teachers aide has really opened my eyes to those children who are not as fortunate. And that's where this all began.

From there I knew that my way of giving back would be based around our TAMARIKI.

- For they are our next generation and they are the ones we must live and strive for in life.

Next question to myself was...Now what was it that I wanted to give back to our tamariki?!

Last week I entered The Warehouse (Whakatane) with my 2 year old daughter.

I could already feel the festive season vibe. Christmas decorations were shimmering and big stands of toys were being advertised throughout the shop.

Away my daughter went, picking out things she wanted to open up on Christmas day.

At home I retraced our day and thought how lucky our girl was with all her presents.

That's when I knew the answer...a PRESENT.

So there I had it, my initiative..

To give back to my community by organising & delivering PRESENTS to most needed children in my area.

The aim of this kaupapa...

1. To make a child smile.

2. To be able to help those parents that are in financial hardship.

3. To give to those that are in need.

I know times are tough for everyone in this world at the moment but if you could spare any donation/koha/present, it will be much appreciated.

We will be delivering presents on Christmas Eve.

Information on our fundraiser can be found online. https://www.facebook.com/koha2tamariki

Thank you so much for your time, donation and support.

Brenda Waititi - Organiser of Koha2Tamariki

He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata!

What is the most important things in this world? The people! The people! The people!