While every child loves Christmas, some kids don't get presents. Johana Temomo decided to do something about that, and with the help of volunteers, they have collected 6000 presents to gift to children in the South Auckland suburb of Ōtara.
John Campbell visited St John the Evangelist School, where boxer David Tua, aka Santa, was handing out gifts.
Santa was on hand delivering gifts to hundreds of children at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate in early December.
One woman's vision to make Christmas brighter for south Auckland children is finally coming to fruition. Santa Claus has arrived early in Ōtara with nearly 10,000 youngsters on the receiving end of donated gifts thanks to a team of volunteers and a crowd funding initiative. Championed by Johana Te Momo, the Christmas Present Drop project kicked off on a hot morning in early December after nearly 12 months of planning. EMILY FORD/STUFFSir Edmund Hillary Collegiate junior principal John Shearer with students Nikos Kaleta, left, Fetima Mafi-Lepolo, and Veyron Beazley. The school was one of the first to get presents as part of the Christmas Present Drop. Ōtara police officers, friendly volunteers, and Santa were on hand for the first deliveries of thousands of gifts to junior students at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate. More than 600 students were entertained by police dogs for the morning, before receiving gifts from Santa and his helpers. EMILY FORD/STUFFŌtara police officers and South Seas Healthcare Trust volunteers were on hand at the first drop off for the Christmas Present Drop. A visit from the police helicopter was also on the schedule, but unfortunately it got called away to an incident before it could land on the field. For junior principal John Shearer, the event was a great building block on the school's relationship with local police, as well as a great start to the Christmas season. "It's just having fun and I think that's important after a year of hard work that we're now able to take it easy," Shearer says. EMILY FORD/STUFFSome of the Ōtara Christmas present drop team, from left, Soane Papalii, Shaun Tautali, Joseph Liava'a and Johana Te Momo. "I give my heartfelt thanks that each one of these kids gets a little bonus." The Christmas Present Drop is a project Te Momo's been working on since early 2017 after she was inspired to give back to the community. She started spreading the word around Ōtara, getting community leaders and organisations on board to raise money so nearly every child could get a $10 gift. Volunteers came on board in the final few weeks to wrap presents, and the team have loaded their cars to deliver them to schools and daycares throughout the week. David Tua and Shane Cameron have lent their support to the campaign and will be on hand to give out presents, as well as Auckland Mayor Phil Goff. South Seas Healthcare Trust's Shaun Tautali was there with his team of volunteers at the first event and he's appreciative of the support from organisations like the police. A lot of things have happened in Ōtara this year but this is an opportunity to show the area in a positive light and give back to the children, he says. "Just seeing the smile on their faces and the appreciation it really means a lot and this is what it's all about." The Christmas Present Drop runs until December 8, with various events planned through the week. - Stuff It's a busy weekend for Santa with parades in Wellington and Auckland. In Wellington, Lambton Quay and side streets from Whitmore Street to Willis Street are closed from from midnight Friday to midnight Sunday for the A Very Welly Christmas carnival. Each day of the carnival opens with a midday walking parade, departing from Ballance St and travelling the wrong way down Lambton Quay. "Santa will obviously be a highlight for the kids, but there will be lots to see and do for everyone along the Golden Mile. Wellingtonians love seeing the city abuzz, and I'm looking forward to this weekend being exactly like that," Mayor Justin Lester said. In Auckland the country's largest parade, with 3500 participants, is held on Sunday from 1pm. Members from the America's Cup winning crew are leading the parade this year. "Sailing the streets on a magnificent pirate ship float, with the America's Cup itself in hand, don't miss your chance to catch the faces from this incredible team, as they get on board for this fantastic family event," organisers say. In Christchurch, Santa makes an appearance at the Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park free outdoor concert in North Hagley Park, which starts at 7:30pm on Saturday. And sleigh bells are ringing in Otara this morning. Volunteers will be packing presents for 4000 children in the south Auckland community. Christmas Present Drop's Johana Te Momo says the elves are rearing to go. "We'll just have a whole bunch of volunteers there, probably about 30 to 40, listening to a great DJ… having a lot of fun. We'll do that for a few hours, then we'll have a barbecue." Santa will deliver the presents, with the help of David Tua, Shane Cameron and emergency services. "Lots of people have dug deep and contributed to us, including organisations sponsoring classrooms. Lots of people have really helped us out this year, which is amazing," says Ms Te Momo. NZN / Newshub.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/2018622120/10-000-christmas-presents-to-be-delivered-in-otara
From Dateline Pacific, 6:01 am on 20 November 2017
Four thousand children in a south Auckland suburb in New Zealand will receive a Christmas present donated from a community driven project. The 'Christmas Otara Present Drop' is an initiative to provide the children with positive things to engage them, but also helps take extra pressure off from families leading up to Christmas. Sela Jane Hopgood has more. Approximately 68 per cent of Ōtara's population is of Pacific descent. This year, thanks to the Christmas Present Drop, many Māori and Pacific children in Ōtara will have a present this festive season. Project leader Johana Temomo says the idea that sparked the initiative came to her six months ago. "I was in a park, working all day, I saw a lot of children and not really many adults around, just a lot of children. They're playing all day and I just thought, wouldn't it be great to give something back to the children and why not in Otara because it's such a great place and the people and the community have such a great heart." Ms Temomo says every single kindergarten, primary school and intermediate in Ōtara will be part of the first Christmas Present Drop. She says principals and teachers of the schools were in disbelief that their children would be receiving such a donation. "They just couldn't believe it. Disbelief. New presents? Ten dollar value new presents? Yeah.. Really? A lot of the principals have said, oh we've had Christmas presents in the past and the kids will unwrap the presents and then there will be a truck with no wheels or there will be a doll ripped." Social worker Soane Papali'i deals with some of the country's most vulnerable communities in Ōtara by offering support and mentoring services. Mr Papali'i says this is a great opportunity to give back to the children to hopefully inspire them. "I don't know what their Christmas is like, but we want to brighten that up before the 25th of December. I remember when I was a kid, mum and dad used to work, but you know there were times when we were financially disabled from getting presents, so we want to give that opportunity to every single child here in Otara." 10,000 presents is Ms Temomo's goal to make sure every student under the age of 13 years receives a gift. Samoan former professional boxer David Tua is championing the project and will be dressed as a Santa on the week of school visits to deliver the presents. Former rugby league player Ruben Wiki and New Zealand professional boxer Shane Cameron have also volunteered their time to act as Santas. Ms Temomo says it's a community driven event with local businesses lending support. Public health team leader of Southseas Healthcare Shaun Tautali is part of the committee offering a hand. "It was a great opportunity for us to support it as a community organisation that are already in Otara working alongside our people, so it's a really positive thing and it's Christmas and I think our contribution in a small way will help to achieve this goal." Mr Papali'i says a project like this could be just the spark that a child in Ōtara needs. "Otara is vibrant and it's ripe with culture. Otara has had its stigma, its had its fair share of history, but we want to break that mentality of poverty. You know we are not poor, we've got parents who are working. Yeah, we do have families who struggle, who obviously live beyond their means or don't have enough to make ends meet, but you know we're going to break that cycle, whatever that looks like." Ms Temomo says that once the schools have received their presents, the rest of the presents will go to children who attend the Christmas in the Park event. She also encourages families in Ōtara who have children that do not attend school to get in touch.
http://niufm.com/blog/david-tua-champions-christmas-project-for-south-auckland-kids
A charity project in South Auckland is hoping to raise 10,000 Christmas presents for children in Ōtara.
Former heavyweight boxer To’aletai David Tua and his wife Helen Tua are on board with the Christmas Present Drop initiative. Mr. Tua says he's honoured to be championing the cause. "A lot of our kids will go without a present so this is an amazing intiative for me to be a part of," he says. "If it means that I use my celebrity status to help and get people involved, I'll do it." The project is under the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation and is led by local community leaders in South Auckland. Mrs. Tua says it's a collective effort. "It's a wonderful thing because it's brought these organisations together." The presents will be distributed next month to primary schools and early childhood centres for children aged 0 to 13. Click on image below for full interview: EMILY FORD Last updated 23:07, November 2 2017 EMILY FORD/STUFF Heavyweight boxer David Tua is lending his support to an Ōtara Christmas present drive. David Tua is throwing his weight behind a drive to help south Auckland children this Christmas. The heavyweight boxer is championing a project to gift 10,000 Christmas presents to the children of Ōtara. Why not get involved, the Mangere resident says. He's always willing to give back to the south Auckland community. EMILY FORD/STUFFThe Christmas present drive aims to gift 10,000 children in Ōtara with educational presents this Christmas. "Christmas time is such a very special time for any kid and to be able to lend a hand is the least I can do," Tua says. "It doesn't matter how far you get in life, you never forget who you are and where you come from." The Christmas present drive is a project organised by Johana Te Momo and a team of people from Ōtara organisations. Originally planning on 20,000 gifts, the target is now 10,000 and the team will head out in the first week of December delivering presents to schools and daycares. Each gift will cost about $10, and the project is relying on fundraising efforts, donations, and business sponsorships. Tua became involved with the project through his wife, Helen, who works with Te Momo at Mercury Energy, also a funder of the project. The project is at 14 per cent of its fundraising target, but Tua says he's confident it will get across the line."They needed somebody to champion it and I said, what about me?" "It's like any good fight, we've got to stay in there, no matter how challenging it might be. "You always find ways to get up when you're knocked down and this is a good fight worth fighting for." Te Momo's been organising the event since the beginning of the year, and she says it's great having Tua behind it. "He jumped on board to do this and we're really blessed to have him. He has such a beautiful heart and is really keen to support it however he can," Te Momo says. She says the cause has received a lot of positive feedback and they're hoping for support from businesses to sponsor children. "We can't do it ourselves, it's gonna take a community." Te Momo and her team are looking for more volunteers and funding to make the project happen. To donate or for more information go to the Givealittle page. - Stuff Last updated 16:36, August 9 2017
EMILY FORD/STUFFSome of the Otara Christmas present team, from left, Soane Papalii, Shaun Tautali, Joseph Liava'a and Johana Te Momo. It's still months away, but one woman is already doing her Christmas present shopping. Johana Te Momo is checking off a list for 20,000 children. Te Momo is organising a Christmas gift drive for the south Auckland suburb of Otara. EMILY FORD/STUFFThe team is planning to give presents to the 20,000 children who live in Otara. She was inspired to give back after working in Otara in the summer and seeing her friend dip into his own pocket to buy ice blocks for a group of children playing in the street. Anything was possible, she thought, and she had the idea to give every child in the community a Christmas present. She says the project is a simple thing to do and she wants to support children who may not otherwise receive anything for Christmas. "I've always been someone who really wants to help children," Te Momo says. "I come from a violent family myself so the safety of children is really important to me. "Christmas is about giving and this is my way of being able to give back .. . I want them to be able to overcome whatever situation they're in and know they can achieve anything." Te Momo researched the area, finding out there's about 20,000 children in Otara, and is planning gifts made up of educational books and outdoor activities. "This is quite a unique community, I don't think there's a lot of others where the people have such a heart for their area."It's the first time she's ever done anything like this, she says, and while she's not from the area, she's passionate about Otara. Te Momo has joined forces with community groups and social services to distribute the gifts at events in December, as well as through the schools. She's created a steering group that includes people from Otara organisations like Crosspower, South Seas Healthcare, and East Tamaki Healthcare. With a price tag of $10 for each present, she's now set about raising the much-needed funds to get the project off the ground. Her workplace, Mercury Energy, is on board as a funder and she's also applying for any and all funding grants she can. Eventually, Te Momo hopes to then expand the project into other suburbs, with community leaders being responsible for it each year. To get involved with the project contact Te Momo on [email protected] or 021 882 058. - Stuff |
JohanaWe are a group of volunteers and community leaders working together to inspire the children of Otara that they can achieve anything they put their minds to. Our objective; to fund-raise 10,000 presents and distribute to Otara children in 3 different Tiers in the community. ArchivesCategories |