Dear friends

Just to let you know, I am off to the Solomon Is again on a field visit to catch up with our three volunteers currently there –Angela Murray, sign language interpreter assisting at Aruligo Deaf and Disabilities Centre; Patricia Larsen, a curriculum advisor at Don Bosco Tech; and Alex Abela at St Joseph’s Secondary School, Tenaru. I will also visit the Western Province, Gizo, and the Shortland Is where Peter and Marie Farrell and their two young children also served earlier this year at St Anne’s RTC, in Nila.

 

I depart 15 June, and will be back in NZ on 5 July 2009.

 

If you are interested in more details about our projects this year, visit our new website www.mahitahi.org. Not all pur new assignments are up on it, but these will be updated once I get back form the Solomons. I envisage the site having links to volunteer bloggs so the volunteers  themselves can post their letters, photos etc. but this hasn’t happened yet. Maybe some IT savvy members can help us get this up and running.

 

On Sunday 14 June we are commissioning our 9^th volunteer  for 2009. Mark Baird departs for Kiunga in PNG on 15^th June for a 3 month assignment assisting with the Emmaus Farm Youth Development Project in Kiunga. In past years we have averaged 10-12 volunteers per year, so 9 in the first 6 months is extraordinary.

 

Thank you all for your continued support of Mahitahi. Without it, we could not do what we do.

 

Please be aware, that while some projects are successful in winning NZAID funding, most are still funded through grants and donations. Your donations will be receipted and are tax deductible. You are welcome to make donations for specific projects or volunteer assignments you wish to support, or for our projects generally.

 

Arohanui ki a koutou katoa.