Our Journey
2007 First Steps
Miriam travelled from New Zealand with a group of kiwis to visit her home village, to see her many relatives and share her dream for a new school. Gradually people started to catch the vision. Her Uncle John donated land and an old building. The community began to clear that well overgrown site.
Meantime in New Zealand, a project committee was born. They are people from Otamatea Co-operating Parish, Ararua Community Church and YWAM. They began the task of raising money and plan the way ahead.
2008 The Ground Work
During 2008 a small team from New Zealand arrived. They assessed the existing building and site, and together with the local school committee they developed a plan for the future school. It was decided the old building was beyond repair, but to rebuild on the existing foundations that had a valuable water tank built within it.
2009 The Building Begins
With plans drawn, money raised, materials sourced, and another small team from New Zealand the first changes began. Large trees were dropped for milling of timber and then more of the site was cleared for playground area.
Meanwhile many excited locals joined in the construction work of the first 3-classroom building for the new school. Columns were poured, hundreds of concrete blocks made, laid by hand and a community of 11 villages saw their school starting to take shape.
2010 First Classroom Built
Three teams worked hard and fast to not only complete th e building but also to make the tables, stools and everything to fill the 3 classrooms
  
2011 Ammenities and Registration
‘Engineers without Borders ’ from Canterbury University came on board to design, develop and start building a toilet block and septic tank system for the school and this work was continued by another Northland team, among many other jobs completed. Application for school registration started in late 2010 and took 12 months to process but now approved, the school is set to open for students in February 2012.
2012 School Opening
We are wanting to send at least two teams to really encourage the new teacher and kids, give them some training and encouragement to the local community. We also need to complete the toilet block, septic tank, field drains, plaster water tank, run a water supply and numerous other jobs.
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