Community benefits from April grant funding round success

The April community funding round saw a large number of diverse applications from across Wairarapa. We are thrilled to share some more worthy local recipients of that round. Our second (and last) community funding round of the year opens next month, October 2023.

Above: Pirinoa School student Jacob gets up close and personal with a Volcanoes Ngā puia kit from House of Science Wairarapa.

The House of Science Wairarapa Te Whare Pūtaiao o Wairarapa is a community-led provider of science education services. House of Science create quality hands-on bilingual science kits and professional learning and development for students at 28 primary and intermediate schools throughout Wairarapa.

Here’s what Amanda Taylor from House of Science Wairarapa had to say about their grant: ‘Thanks to the support of the Wairarapa Building Society, we have been able to add the Volcanoes Ngā puia kit to our science library. This will allow over 5,000 students from the Wairarapa to learn about volcanoes through hands-on activities.’

Above: Hōkai Tahi Service Manager Rebecca Vergunst and Board Chair, Lucy Griffiths.

Hōkai Tahi in Masterton were another grant recipient in our April community funding round. Hōkai Tahi is an incredible local organisation that promotes the well-being of mothers and their whānau, and in particular, those who face adverse circumstances surrounding their pregnancy.

Here’s what Hōkai Tahi said about their grant: ‘Your generosity will greatly assist us with meeting the needs of women and their whānau over the coming year. We so appreciate your financial support of this worthwhile service in our area!’

Above: Some of the happy campers from Camp Waimanaaki who will enjoy new cabin mattresses.

Another charitable trust doing great work in our community is the Live and Learn Ministries Charitable Trust. The trust received funds to assist with the purchase of new mattresses for their well-used Camp Waimanaaki at Riversdale Beach.

This is what their grant meant to them: ‘On behalf of Waimanaaki and the Live and Learn Trust, we would like to thank you for your donation to help us purchase 60 new mattresses for campers to enjoy the cabins. These new mattresses have hospital-grade covers to help ease cleaning and keep up with safe hygiene practices to ensure all those who stay in the cabins are comfortable and safe for many camps to come.’