May 29, 2012

Kids's Clothes Swap... ALL Cash Goes to Families in Need

The Goods!!!
Read's a bit like a newspaper headline, doesn't it?

Well, as I walked around this morning, just 'soaking in' the HUGE pile of Kids Goods that had been donated, I was in awe.  Truly!  So many of you brought in a heap of good quality clothes and toys and were so willing to just give it away!  In these TradeMe days, I do think it's rare.  And we think it is just so fabulous!  Instead of making a profit for yourselves, you were willing to donate, and then to buy back with all the money going to Charity.

To be honest, we were praying we would be able to make a couple of hundred dollars.  We would have been very excited with that.  But we made over $700 dollars!!!!  INCREDIBLE!!!

A huge thanks to all those who selflessly gave us goods to sell.  Another huge thanks to all of you who purchased goods today - without you, it wouldn't have worked at all!

So, where is the dosh going?

Well, we care a lot about Mums, Dads, Kids and Babies who are less fortunate than ourselves.  A lot!  So we are going to donate this money to both IOSIS family solutions, and to Tearfund's Child Survival Programme (CSP).  (See below for a quick description of what these organisations are about.)

So what is happening to all the goods not purchased?
It's all going to IOSIS.  They have their finger on the pulse of the largest needs in this community of ours and we know it will all be put to such good use!

Why?  Why do we care?
One of our values at WonderMums is Generosity.  We believe that it is our responsibility to have a part in reducing poverty.  Each of us on our WM Team has a heart for this.  We each feel so blessed that we are able to get jobs, feed/clothe and house our children.  When we see the documentaries of those living in poverty, both in NZ and overseas, it breaks our hearts knowing that these Mothers must be in such anguish having no ability to care for their families in the way they want to.  If we were in their position, we would need help.  So we want to be able to help out where we can.  This is the motivation for WM sponsoring Lokesh, who we have now been sponsoring for almost a year!  We are so proud to be a part of a mothers group who always gets behind the fundraising efforts we do for charity!!

The Shopping!!!

IOSIS is involved in serving our community in these areas: Social Work, Foster Care, Counseling and Family Therapy Centre, Merivale Whanau Development Centre, Family Learning Centre, Supervised Visitation Centre, Parent Support and Coaching, Budgeting Services, MenD - Mens Development Programme, "Strengthening Families" Facilitation.  They are truly an amazing support to the families of South Auckland.  You can get involved in more ways than one, and information to that effect can easily be found on their website. 

"Tearfund's Child Survival Program which is a pre-child sponsorship early childhood program (similar to Plunket here in NZ).  The age range for CSP is pre-natal through age three.  The program involves the mother or other primary caregiver.  The children once past the age of three will then become part of the child sponsorship program.  The needs of young children living in poverty are severe and immediate with great potential for negative impact, including infant mortality, premature birth, illness, developmental delay, and decline in intelligence scores, poor future school performance, and relationship problems (St. Pierre & Layzer, 1998; Yoshikawa, 1995).  The longer a young child lives in poverty, the more severe and lasting the negative impact (St. Pierre & Layzer, 1998)."

May 23, 2012

Butterfly Creek Visit

After being rained off last week, the sun really turned on a lovely day for it yesterday!  Yippie!  Beautiful balmy weather.  We always enjoy the treat of having cafe food, and being able to eat it leisurely while the kids tear around on the playground.

Check out the album here for the rest of the photos.

May 16, 2012

Happy Mothers Day!

We think you guys are pretty spesh!  We know that Mummies aren't the only special people in the world, or even the only ones who 'do the mostest', but we do think that there are times in mother's lives where they certainly are a Super Mum!

That Miracle, a Mother,
By Mogs
A mother loves her children, no matter who they are.
Her baby is the cutest thing, the cutest in the world!
As that lil bundle grows, and begins to assert it’s small self,
A mother corrects & directs, but with an inner delight.

She always sees the potential, the adult her child could become.
She fiercely believes when others doubt,
Defends & protects no matter the effect on her own person.
To build self-confidence in her young, is one of her main goals.
She teaches them to care about others, standing up for what is right

Her day is spent growing a person, readying them for life.
Her nights are spent watching her child, sleeping peacefully.
Her dreams are centred on the special moments, where her child stays small.
Her hopes are staked in the future, when her baby becomes full-grown.

The miracle is this woman, who understands & loves the ‘whole’.
The baby, the child, the young one, and the adult they will become.


Check out this post from the Polkadots for a lil giggle.

May 10, 2012

Welcome Baby Jocelyn!

Aww, what a cutie!  And how sweet is that little hat!
Jocelyn Eileen was born to Belinda & Roland on the 28th April at 7.28am.  She weighed in at a lovely 9lb 8oz!  Well done, Belinda!  We look forward to having cuddles with this little bundle.

A huge congratulations to you Belinda & Roland!