Huringa Pai is an organisation working to support community in the Tairawhiti region. Its overarching aim is to empower women in improving their Fono Fale (well-being).
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. 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.
Funding for Huringa Pai was used for a project (Waka Mama – Fononga ki he Mo’ui Lelei) which is aimed at empowering 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.
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.
The Common Good Foundation applauds the great outreach work initiated by the Huringa Pai Charitable Trust and it is hoped the examples set by these women to improve their health outcomes will encourage others in the extended families to follow in their footsteps.
