Kia ora
Just thought I would take the opportunity to give you an update on what TeHahi has been doing over the past couple of months.
Unfortunately, the weather hasn’t improved too much over the last few weeks. This has made people in our community still very uneasy, and not fully understanding how to deal with challenges that arise not just physical conditions but mind health challenges.
![Te Hahi - Tairawhiti]()
TeHahi has been involved in supplying furniture/homewares/food/clothing/vouchers, to those directly affected by flooding and in particular those that are not insured. It has been sad listening to some of the stories of loss of belongings and treasures (thankfully not of lives) and sometimes it has been an oversight or financial crisis that has caused their insurance to either lapse or have none at all. It has been such a blessing to be able to give unconditionally and be able to share with them that it has been by the generosity of those outside our community that has made it possible for us to do what we do. There are still many that are unable to return to their homes, so we are unsure as to their needs which will only come to light as they have access to their homes, so this process will be long and slow.
We have also been assisting whanau with practical help in Wairoa, which has been a welcome relief for many, as there is a sense of feeling in the community that they have been forgotten, lots of promises, little delivery!
![Te Hahi - Tairawhiti]()
We have had two mind health experts visit, Richard Black and Sandra Sellmer-Kerstens which has been invaluable. This has given people a clearer understanding of their thoughts/behaviour and that its okay.
In consultation with Richard and Sandra, we took our experts to the people rather than have mass gathering. We are aware of the reluctance of people to admit they are not coping or have heightened anxiety which they can’t explain, to come forward in front of a crowd.
We held a street BBQ for one of the streets that was badly affected and allowed Richard to move amongst the residents on their own turf, even though they had been displaced and waiting to return to their homes.
They have had to make decisions about their future and having the opportunity to speak to our H/P, put a lot of things into perspective and were given tools to help them navigate their challenges.
Particularly fragile have been our elderly and the children. One of our TeHahi church’s helped a school with finance, to have a whanau day to bring a bit of aroha and awhi to the whanau connected to the school as whenever there is a heavy continuous downpour, our tamariki become fearful that it is another cyclone.
We took both teams to Wairoa where they had one on one consultations and also met with Father Rob, from the local Catholic Church that was badly damaged in the flood. We are continuing to stay supportive of the work being done by him and his parish, they are doing a great job!.
Sandra a 3 day workshop in Gisborne, Dealing with Trauma and Anxiety, it encourages us to listen well and perhaps recognize what health professionals that we may help them to access.
We believe this mahi on Mind Health, is a long term issue and we are working to continue to support this Kaupapa until possibly the end of the year. Richard is due back for a week plus, the middle of July. He will be conducting a workshop with a local Maori Health provider and his team will be helping with others in the community including meetings with other organisations and one on one.
Sandra will return with her team in Sept, and in addition will dedicate a week working in Wairoa.
We have been working collaboratively with other churches and community organisations who are not part of TeHahi, but have the same heart for our community and helping to make a difference.
We are very grateful for the ongoing financial support that we have received from The Good Foundation and appreciate the messages of encouragement from yourselves for the work that TeHahi does.
We are excited that we have just received our Charity Status and are working with the House of Breakthrough finance team (who administers our finance) , to finalise our bank account etc, understandably, this will take a bit of time.
We will endeavour to keep you updated with our progress and look forward to our continued work together.
Kia hari koutou
![Te Hahi - Tairawhiti]()
Just thought I would take the opportunity to give you an update on what TeHahi has been doing over the past couple of months.
Unfortunately, the weather hasn’t improved too much over the last few weeks. This has made people in our community still very uneasy, and not fully understanding how to deal with challenges that arise not just physical conditions but mind health challenges.
We have also been assisting whanau with practical help in Wairoa, which has been a welcome relief for many, as there is a sense of feeling in the community that they have been forgotten, lots of promises, little delivery!
In consultation with Richard and Sandra, we took our experts to the people rather than have mass gathering. We are aware of the reluctance of people to admit they are not coping or have heightened anxiety which they can’t explain, to come forward in front of a crowd.
We held a street BBQ for one of the streets that was badly affected and allowed Richard to move amongst the residents on their own turf, even though they had been displaced and waiting to return to their homes.
They have had to make decisions about their future and having the opportunity to speak to our H/P, put a lot of things into perspective and were given tools to help them navigate their challenges.
Particularly fragile have been our elderly and the children. One of our TeHahi church’s helped a school with finance, to have a whanau day to bring a bit of aroha and awhi to the whanau connected to the school as whenever there is a heavy continuous downpour, our tamariki become fearful that it is another cyclone.
We took both teams to Wairoa where they had one on one consultations and also met with Father Rob, from the local Catholic Church that was badly damaged in the flood. We are continuing to stay supportive of the work being done by him and his parish, they are doing a great job!.
Sandra a 3 day workshop in Gisborne, Dealing with Trauma and Anxiety, it encourages us to listen well and perhaps recognize what health professionals that we may help them to access.
We believe this mahi on Mind Health, is a long term issue and we are working to continue to support this Kaupapa until possibly the end of the year. Richard is due back for a week plus, the middle of July. He will be conducting a workshop with a local Maori Health provider and his team will be helping with others in the community including meetings with other organisations and one on one.
Sandra will return with her team in Sept, and in addition will dedicate a week working in Wairoa.
We have been working collaboratively with other churches and community organisations who are not part of TeHahi, but have the same heart for our community and helping to make a difference.
We are very grateful for the ongoing financial support that we have received from The Good Foundation and appreciate the messages of encouragement from yourselves for the work that TeHahi does.
We are excited that we have just received our Charity Status and are working with the House of Breakthrough finance team (who administers our finance) , to finalise our bank account etc, understandably, this will take a bit of time.
We will endeavour to keep you updated with our progress and look forward to our continued work together.
Kia hari koutou
