Seven East Auckland Schools Come Together to Serve the Community
Posted on September 26, 2016
In a new initiative launched this year, student leaders from East Auckland Schools have come together to serve the community.
Head Prefects and student leaders from seven secondary schools have a vision to build powerful relationships between the students of East Auckland so that they can unite as one to make a difference in the community. This exciting new initiative consists of students from Botany Downs Secondary College, Elim Christian College, Howick College, Macleans College, Ormiston Senior College, Pakuranga College and Sancta Maria College. Over the course of 2016, the group has had two focuses, one on fundraising for Lifepods and secondly, Love East Auckland.
Lifepods are low cost incubators that have been designed by Sir Ray Avery, New Zealand of the year in 2010 and a pharmaceutical scientist, inventor and social entrepreneur. Despite traditional incubators costing, $35,000, Sir Ray, has been able to design an incubator for just $2,000 that is robust enough to stand up to the challenging conditions in a developing country. According to Sir Ray, “The global distribution of Mondial Lifepod Incubators will save the lives of millions of babies giving them precious time to develop into healthy children through the use of innovative Kiwi technology.” The Lifepods will begin to be shipped to countries in the South Pacific in early 2017.
Collectively, the seven schools were able to raise $14,231.31 for this excellent cause, enough for seven Lifepods through mufti days and events. The money raised was presented to Sir Ray Avery in a ceremony held at Sancta Maria College on Saturday. Sir Ray Avery graciously accepted the funds raised, praising the students present as an inspiration and stated that, “if the East Auckland Schools are representative of the generosity and social conscience of today’s youth, then the world is in good hands”. He presented each school a certificate of recognition and a signed copy of his book, ‘A Rebel with a Cause’.
The second initiative, ‘Love East Auckland’ was a random act of kindness event inspired by, ‘Love this City’. The student leaders identified that one of the biggest needs in East Auckland was for love and hope. On Saturday, in rainy weather, over 200 students from six schools went out into the community with the goal of spreading joy and happiness. Students presented members of the public with small gifts and written messages of support, hope and kindness.
The first year of the East Auckland Schools initiative has been extremely successful in uniting the over 10,000 secondary school students in East Auckland together to serve the community. The amazing support and response by students to the Lifepod initiative is a testament to the ability of students to see and respond to the needs of others. This year’s group of student leaders hope they have laid the foundation for many years of future service to the community in East Auckland.
