Friendship Force: How a Whangārei club builds global friendships and peace - Gwendolyn Needham
Opinion by
Northern Advocate
3 mins to read
Gwendolyn Needham writes and teaches healthy life-wisdom to inspire and empower all towards their own good lives, thereby influencing those younger to healthy living, and stemming the mental health crisis gripping New Zealand. She is a proud Northlander, living in Whangārei.
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Jimmy Carter died one year ago, aged 100, the longest living ex-US President, active humanitarian to the end, and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Photo / cartercenter.org
Jimmy Carter died one year ago, aged 100, the longest living ex-US President, active humanitarian to the end, and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Photo / cartercenter.org
Back in 1996, out of the blue, in a life emergency, we discovered a new world of friends.
While we were enjoying “Phantom of the Opera” in Sydney, our daughter was helicoptered from Northland to National Women’s Hospital in serious crisis.
A tiny handful of boy was born, reallife and death. We needed to stay handy.
Relatives’ friends offered beds and friendly hospitality with true kindness of strangers. We chatted.
Hosts: “You sound like the kind of folks who’d enjoy The Friendship Force”.
Dinner table conversations thrive. Strangers become friends. Our minds expand. We understand a little more.
The title “Force” is intentional – meaning strength, purposeful peace.
Whangārei Friendship Force has been a community organisation of note for 35 years, 80 members; city and farming couples.
Travel enriches the mind. The Dalai Lama recommends; “Every year go somewhere you’ve never been before; whether close by or far”.
Recently we connected with school children. How?
I’d introduced myself to Donna Carke who I spotted as a life-enthusiast at Waiata Joy, (open invitation on Tuesdays in Term time, 6pm – 7pm at Pehiaweri Marae, Ngunguru Road, all-age family focussed; enriching; do come along!).
Donna teaches at Glenbervie School, and invited our FF guests from Japan, Australia, Florida.
All were mightily inspired by the children’s confidence, leadership, waiata and welcome (and astounded at their bare feet!)
After classroom visits, maps, fun, and chats, the children served morning tea with flair, grace, and warmth.
Remember, teachers are second only to parents as agents of social change.
And – outdoors, there’s a labelled friendship seat, ready for any child who feels lonely, sad, and wants a friend. Other children then come along and invite him/her to join in. Friendship!
Jimmy Carter died one year ago, aged 100, the longest living ex-US President, active humanitarian to the end, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
