Smoothstream Orchestra
Life in a new country with different cultural and social structures can be difficult for recent immigrants. Issues of fear and uncertainty are commonplace and can lead to people feeling socially isolated and frustrated living their day to day lives.
Smoothstream is an initiative of the migrant community in Manukau established in 2005 to offer a community-based approach to connecting refugees, providing social cohesion and integration through the common interest of music.
A grant from Manukau Community Foundation assisted with a number of activities for the Orchestra including performances at the Papatoetoe Council Chamber, Totara Park, Wesley Park, SGI Cultural Centre, Community Safety Awareness Day at Manukau Square and the Botany Town Centre Christmas Party. The group of 20 musicians of various ethnicities is less about aesthetic and artistic values and more about establishing informal social networks to assist migrants to integrate into New Zealand society. Smoothstream also offers advice and mentoring on issues such as immigration, schooling, transport, health information, legal structures and community safety.
Founder Ronald Ma says;
"Music is a universal language that has the power to bring diverse people together. We have created a common ground for new migrants to grow and prosper in a new country".
Otara Boards Forum
The Otara Boards Forum works with schools’ Boards of Trustees, Early Childhood Education groups and the wider Otara community to assist with increasing school achievement levels, supporting Boards of Trustees and encouraging community involvement in education. Since 1996, the Forum has delivered services for the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Development and Counties-Manukau District Health Board.
A grant from Manukau Community Foundation assisted Otara Boards Forum to host Otara Literacy Day at Tangaroa College in March 2009. The objective was to celebrate local success in education and promote the importance of literacy and numeracy to families in the community.
The event attracted over 3,000 children and their families to a day of fun literacy activities for children and interschool quizzes. Children received a “literacy passport” on arrival and earned stamps for each activity undertaken. 1800 children presented a completed passport that was exchanged for a literacy bag containing books and other resources to take home. By the end of the day $39,000 worth of books, school supplies and prizes had been given out and 800 volunteer hours had been logged.
CEO Bill Takerei says;
“The funding support from the Manukau Community Foundation to the Otara community in highlighting Literacy and Numeracy was critical to the success of the event and our vision as an organisation to build education in Otara”