Ana Apatu: New PJs keep kids warm at night

Ana Apatu

One of my personal highlights this year has been the Jarmy Army.

It has captured many of us. The children of Flaxmere thank you for your kindness. As previously mentioned this has been a learning curve for those of us who have contributed.

This time we gather requests from the teachers of Kimi Ora School. We take numbers, sizes and gender. This request includes small adult sizing. There are 97 students. We decide after feedback from teachers and parents that we will provide a thermal tee shirt and a pair of pyjamas for every child. Other schools we have basically asked - "hands up who has not got a pair of pyjamas". To those of you who sew or contribute lovely second-hand PJs, they have been snapped up.

But there is something about handing out brand-new ones in their crinkly packet. We receive such an amazing deal from The Warehouse we collectively decide this is what we will pursue next year. For those of us that are ethically minded - we are pleased that The Warehouse provides the living wage as a minimum wage for staff. Plus Warehouse staff have been so helpful. I don't mind admitting I have seen the Red Shed/the Ware Whare/the Warehouse in a completely new light since this project began.

Kimi Ora School has recently had its challenges. Leaky buildings, a fluctuating roll creates the need to consult with the community to determine the schools future. Kimi Ora is neighbour to Te Aranga Marae. We see much potential with this school and are pleased to learn the school will remain open. We are also pleased a new principal Matt O'Dawd has been appointed.

Meantime Tim Jones (semi-retired) acting principal for Kimi Ora School, tells me he is from Mahia and is now a professional whitebaiter. As much as he has loved teaching at Kimi Ora, he tells us he is looking forward to heading back up the coast and getting back to his fishing.

Pam O'Keefe, Sarah Tawhai and Tanya Jaine (from Plunket) and I are invited to attend lunchtime assembly. Mary and Peter Fama are away on holiday. The students lead assembly which includes singing and handing out awards. Awards are handed out for children for "trying" and "demonstrating good behaviour in certain situations". Many awards are handed out. The place is brimming with positive affirmations and rewards. I watch the "big boys" who sit up the back of assembly and wonder if they might be a bit too cool to receive their pyjamas. The singing is very good.

Its time to hand out the PJs. We watch as two girls and two boys go into a side room and come out wearing their pyjamas. They stand up the front and parade/model for us. We watch each class receive theirs. I watch the "big boys" pick their size out. I am pleased to report they receive them with just as much enthusiasm as the younger children. We receive a heartfelt thank you speech from one of the Kimi Ora students.

As we walk back to the marae marvelling at what a lovely experience this had been, we agree to continue to do this next year. Later on that afternoon Pam rings me to tell me she and Henare drive down Flaxmere Av to see Kimi Ora students walking home in their pyjamas. So for those of you that have donated personally, donated through your work, sewn, bought, or helped in any way with the Jarmy Army - these letters are also for you.

Dear Ana Apatu. Thank you so much for the pj's and thermals. We loved it. We wouldn't be warm over night. On Friday night my sisters and I were so nice and warm. Thank you so much Ana Apatu and your crew. Yours sincerely, SV.

Dear Ana I had a warm sleep last night and my pyjamas felt like it was my blanket. My thermal was very mild and warm. Thank you very much for the pyjamas and thermals. I appreciate how nice people like you donate things to us. We really are grateful. Yours sincerely, NV.

And last: Dear Ana Apatu. Thank you for our new PJ's and thermals. We love our new warm PJ's that are waiting to be worn at night and so cosy that you will be warm in no minutes. AV.

-Ana Apatu is chief executive of the U-Turn Trust, based at Te Aranga Marae in Flaxmere.