VISION
The vision of this charitable trust is to enable whanau to live longer, healthier lives, as it became apparent to Willem Jordaan (the founder of this trust) that many whanau were dying too young from preventable causes such as diabetes and heart disease. Its focus is to empower them with knowledge as to how to overcome these diseases by walking beside them and to support them in making a sustainable positive change in their lives. The Trust is working initially with groups at the Puhi Kaiti Community Health Centre in Gisborne with a view of reaching those in the wider East Coast community, and maybe further afield.
The grant funding received by Huringa Pai was used for a project (Waka Mama – Fononga ki he Mo’ui Lelei) intended to empower women and families towards improved health outcomes. Three Tongan women (two in their 30s and one mid 50 years of age) were selected and over a 12-month period were monitored and supported through the programmes set out by Huringa Pai. They showed grit and resilience, according to Willem.
With professional support from a GP and allied health professionals, the three women were guided to make sustainable changes to their health. Technology played a part where the participants wore wearable health monitors to track progress while working on their weight and exercise programmes. Making healthy food choices and participating in regular fitness classes (including Aquafit) were paramount in their achievement to make lifestyle changes, which was then affirmed through ‘talanoa’ (digital or face-to-face conferences).
The three participants were highly complimentary of the project saying:
L: Praised team leaders for their encouragement and help with the group, acknowledging changes in her lifestyle habits and promising to continue improving.
M: Discussed her struggles with maintaining exercise routines, appreciating the support from team leaders and expressing commitment to continue trying.
E: Expressed gratitude for the support from the team, acknowledging personal shortcomings in exercise and diet routines but pledging to do better.
