The last newsletter for 2022 from The Tindall Foundation, featured some wonderful impact stories from recipients of funding from Geyser Community Foundation in their capacity as Local Donation Manager. They shared some beautiful grassroots initiatives that have supported parents, whānau and community kai gardens, all of which are at the heart of our founders wishes to support our communities.
The Tindall Foundation funding round for the Rotorua and Taupo regions re-opens on 1 March 2023. To be notified we invite you to subscribe to our newsletter or visit our Facebook page.
KAI ROTORUA
Funded through TTF Local Donation Manager
Geyser Community Foundation
The delight from the tamariki as they dig their hands deep into the dirt to pull out kūmara is infectious. “Ohhhh!” a young boy gasps as he pulls out a particularly large one. Pointing to several freshly harvested kūmara, another boy says: “This one looks like a fat potato and this one just looks like a ball”.
The group of students from Selwyn School in Rotorua are on a field trip to Te Puea Orchard in Tikitere, a 15 minute drive east from the city. When Re’s reo Māori series Ohinga visited last month, the group were harvesting hutihuti kūmara they had planted last year. Within minutes, the students dug up large stacks of kūmara – with looks of genuine awe as they pull each one of the humble vegetables from the earth.
“If we grow kūmara at my house I would know how to do it and teach my nan,” one student says.
This reconnection with both Papatūānuku and kai is what it’s all about for Kai Rotorua – the non-profit group that now manages Te Puea Orchard.
EFFECT ROTORUA
Funded through TTF Local Donation Manager
Geyser Community Foundation
The SPACE programme has been developed to support families within the first 1000 days of a child’s life. The funding that EFFECT receives from Geyser Community Foundation enables them run the programme and add an additional class, increasing from three to four classes each week.
Between 10 to 16 families attend each class and they are given the opportunity to learn from trained instructors who are Mum’s themselves about what to expect. The programme runs for three terms giving families a longer period of time to enjoy the ‘safety net’ of support offered by SPACE instructors.
PREGNANCY HELP TAUPŌ
Funded through TTF Local Donation Manager
Geyser Community Foundation
Pregnancy Help Taupō assists caregivers and families with essential items for their whanau. Last year they provided 38,408 items of clothing, nappies, bedding and other essential items meaning that tamariki don’t have to go without.
They provide assistance to approximately 55 clients each month thanks to funding from Geyser Community Foundation and are so grateful to those who donate clothing and other items to help others in the Taupo community.
TAUPŌ COMMUNITY GARDENS
Funded through TTF Local Donation Manager
Geyser Community Foundation
Taupō Community Garden began when local foodbanks were unable to operate due to Covid-19 restrictions and was developed purely as a way to get fresh produce to people in need. Now it’s a regular highlight for a lively group of pensioners who receive fresh produce twice each week.
Volunteers love delivering veggies to this group of appreciative elders who rub their hands together with delight when they spot their favourites like kamokamo in amongst other nutritious vegetables. The spirits of both recipients and volunteers are lifted with each delivery and all the smiles are a great reward for the mahi that goes into growing such delicious veggies!
