Official opening of the Compassion Soup Kitchen’s Urban Garden 01/05/2018

Without a sense of purpose or a sense of belonging, it is hard to call somewhere home.

Many of the whānau (guests) at Te Pūaroha Soup Kitchen do not feel that they have a place in our community.

The official opening of te Māra, the new urban garden, on the Soup Kitchen site in Haining Street, is 7.00am, Tuesday 1st May. Whānau of Te Pūaroha Soup Kitchen will join with the Ngā Whaea Tapu Pūaroha, the Sisters of Compassion, to mark the establishment and completion by whānau of the first phase of building and planting the garden, which has taken place over the summer months.

The space for te Māra was gifted to guests of the Soup Kitchen by the Sisters. It is a place where we can work together to create an oasis, away from the streets, yet in central Wellington, growing kai that the Sisters, whānau, staff, volunteers and anyone from the wider community who contribute can all share.

Te Mara is a central part of He Rākau Koikoi, a programme of purposeful activities. Complementing te Māra, these activities offer opportunity for whānau to learn new skills, practice old skills, have fun and enjoy being with other people. Through art and cultural sessions, outdoor activities, healthy living sessions, volunteering, training and education, whānau will improve their wellbeing and be able to look with hope to the future.

He Rākau Koikoi delivers the Soup Kitchen’s vision of sharing a place to stand with whānau—building a community of purpose and nourishing whānau to grow and find their place to call home. Standing with whānau we acknowledge they are the Tangata Whenua of Te Pūaroha Soup Kitchen with all the rights and responsibilities that come with this.

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