A cowboy welcome

Wednesday, April 6
Visited the Refugee and Migrant Education Center. They do amazing work for those that come from dire situations. Our day was hosted by the Papatoetoe West Rotary Club. Thanks to Glenys and Ray (and Shirley) for a great day. In the evening, we received a warm welcome to their Rotary Club meeting - everyone was wearing a cowboy hat. What great Texas spirit. Night culminated with us announcing the 'best of the best.' Thanks Papatoetoe West and Somerville Howick.

Miguel's Photo Book

http://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/travel/group-study-exchange-picture-books-5140787

Melanie's Photo Book

http://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/nature/melanie-hoffman-gse-team-leader-5130746

Jennifer's vocational experiences

Thank you to Procare Health Organization for hosting my first vocational experience and to Carmel for arranging my visit. Procare contracts with Auckland Ministry of Health to administer and deliver "Healthy Village Action Zone (HVAZ)". Through this program, and through vital partnerships, HVAZ presents evidence-based programming to different communities. These programs include the Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management program, a fall-prevention program, and a community gardens program, delivered mainly through 42 different Pacific-Islander churches. People of Tongan and Samoan descent represent two of the largest Pacific Islander communities in New Zealand. I have also visited with the Tongan Health Society, which works with Procare to serve Tongan populations. The Tongan Health Society has 100% of their board being of Tongan descent. I visited with their nutritionist and viewed some of their health promotional materials available in Tongan. I also met their Medical Director to learn more about access barriers unique to Pacific Islanders. This was helpful as Christina and Valita showed me different services, including their community gardens, they provide as a Parrish Nurse and Community Health Coordinator. Thank you also to Sam as well! Finally, Mele- I learned so much from your enthusiasm and dedication!

Incredible day!

We got to fly over Auckland this morning with Chris and Phil before landing at Limestone Downs. The views were breathtaking and left us speechless for most of the trip. After a brief tour of the shearing facility at the downs, we headed over to Nikau Caves. The caves were just amazing. Check out their website below.

Nikau Caves & Cafe

Day of Adventure

Monday, April 4 We just came back from an amazing experience. Thanks Drury Rotary club, pilots Phil and Chris, and day hosts John and Trevor!! We flew to the west coast in two little planes. On way, we flew around the city of Auckland and Rangitoto. After visiting Limestone Village which is 8,000 acres of land with 2,500 cows and 8,000 sheep, we went Nikal Caves with Phillip as our tour guide. It was an hour tramp through open and tight spaces and a stream of water, and something we will never forget. It was exhilarating!!! There was one part where we had to sliver down and then crawl on our hands and knees - through the stream that runs throughout the entire cave. And there was another area where we turned off our torches (flashlights) and looked up to see the glow worms. It was like being in a planitarium. An hour to rest and then off we go to present at the Drury Rotary Club. Look forward to meeting the members and thanking them for hosting us this week and a great day! - Pictures soon!

So much to do, limited time to blog...

We have so much to share with everyone, but it seems that we are always running and have not had as many opportunities as we hoped to blog. Hopefully we will have some opportunities this weekend. Photos above are from March 29 during our day hosted by the Harbourside Rotary Club - one from their club meeting and the other during our tramp on the Takapu Refuge Walk that ended with a stroll on the black sand beach.

Check out our YouTube channel to see our daredevil stunts at the ropes course where Rotary Club Botany East Tamaki brought us on March 28, among other great places including Hunua Falls, Clevedon and a coffee stop along the coast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzC7qhPmmnc