A Marathon Effort for Te Wahi Ora Women's Retreat

$1,026 of $2,500 goal

Given by 22 generous donors in around 4 months

A Marathon Effort to gift women a two night stay at Te Wahi Ora Women's Retreat, Piha beach, West Auckland. A Counselling Session included.

Auckland

Unhinged

We stagger along black sands

Like giggling school girls.

Clad in night gowns. Feet bared.

Weighed down by fatigue, yet

Light as champagne flutes;

Our fears released!

The sea sweeps in from our left.

To the right; a Morepork laments

It's name; Calling. Us. Home.

Wild Women. Un-tethered.

Unleashed. Quite, Quite, Unhinged.

Returned to our selves. At last.

I wrote this poem after a few wonderful days at Te Wahi Ora Women's Retreat at Piha, Auckland. It was truly a transforming experience; and a much needed respite from an often overwhelming, busy life. I received beautifully cooked meals, wonderful conversations, a counselling session that was so affirming; and a delicious therapeutic massage that I will remember for life! I left Te Wahi Ora feeling effervescent and free; a giggling 'school girl' who had discovered that life could be simply wonderful.

This experience I would love to gift to other women; women who give so much love and energy to others but often neglect their own inner needs and desires. I intend to run a Marathon (a huge commitment of time and energy for me) to fundraise and give women who can't afford it themselves a chance to Retreat to a space of love and safety. "A place to explore life with passion, compassion, humour and style." Maya Angelou.

Amanda Edwards' involvement (page creator)

"Te Wahi Ora Women's Retreat is run by women for women - A place to go to refresh your soul and warm your heart. It is a Charitable Trust, 'not for profit' organisation; and all income and donations are used to make this retreat available to women and to subsidise women in need of a rest, respite, a breathing space for contemplation of ''their next step' in life." I have stayed in this beautiful place and long to give other women the opportunity to stay there at a time in their lives when they may really benefit from it.