Rosemary Murray is delighted with the new ramp
A new ramp is making access easier to Te Whiringa – Te Awamutu Māori Women’s Welfare League office.
In September, Waipā District Council successfully applied for $38,600 from the Provincial Growth Fund to renovate and install a wheelchair ramp at the Council-owned facility in Kihikihi.
The work was carried out in early December.
The Provincial Growth fund is administered by the Provincial Development Unit, part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Rosemary Murray, president-elect of the MWWL says the new ramp will be well used by visitors to the house especially those with a walking aids or disability.
“The new ramp means our regular groups can more easily access our building for activities and support where it previously was a barrier,” Murray said.
Murray said physiotherapist Angela Brown initiated the project. Brown was supporting a fun ukulele lesson over several months and noticed the difficulty the people were having gaining entry then leaving having no handrail or ramp.
“We support community health services with our volunteer membership to help in educating families to look after their own families through our community garden, ‘Te Ketungatahi’ a cooking programme, crafting and latterly weaving, alongside health education with opportunities to have regular health check done on promotion days.”
Council’s property manager John Miles said improving the property was one way to support the volunteer organisation which provides a wealth of services to Māori women in the community.
The league has been based at its Lyons St, Kihikihi home for 14 years.
A recent addition, Pataka Kai, is at the front of the house and is supported by the wider community with donations of non-perishable food. The branch made a successful application to Council’s Waste Minimisation Fund for the purchase of a freezer to preserve food for community food packages.
Te Awamutu Maori women’s Welfare League also offers advice to help family or liaise with other agencies to assist with family needs.
