- By Times Junior Journalist Manayah Peiris
In our small corner of Auckland, it’s amazing to find young people making a difference.
Harrison Eagle, head boy at Botany Downs Secondary College, felt as part of his leadership he should serve the community in some way.
“There were lots of projects that I could get involved with and after contacting a few people I learnt about the Life Community Kitchens.
“They serve 11 different communities across Auckland to help meet the needs of many people across the city,” explains Harrison.
Harrison contacted the organisers of the Otara Life Community Kitchen, which feeds around 300 individuals weekly by providing hot meals.
“The team works together to connect with families and young people. There are many small children who come with a family member.
“The Otara Life Community Kitchen meets at Te Puke ō Tara Community Centre.
“Otara Local Board have offered this venue every week for Life Community to use.
“As I was able to serve and eat with the families that regularly attended, I built relationships and had a heart for the children that were there.”
This kitchen is led by Angelica Lall and Andrew Lall.
“They’re inspirational as they lead a team of volunteers every week, they serve others and make everyone feel loved,” says Harrison.
“There are no barriers – people come to eat, connect and feel part of a community who cares.”
Harrison heard about the kitchen’s Christmas project, which provides a special Christmas meal for over 900 people, as well as some gifts for the children.
This event used to be sponsored but now the organisers rely on donations.
“My heart was to ensure the children still got their ‘Christmas’ so I set about contacting a range of businesses to see if they could support this event in some small way.”
The main goal was to raise $5000 to fund a Christmas event which will take place on Monday, December 9, for over 900 people.
This money is for food for the event, as well as gifts and entertainment for the children.
However, this was not easy. Harrison had to contact many businesses to ask for donations.
He even contacted our local MP, Christopher Luxon.
“We found it quite hard at first as many businesses are struggling themselves to meet margins and already support other charities.
“We did however find some generous supporters from our local community here in Howick and Botany who we would like to acknowledge and thank.”
The following businesses have donated to this fund: Gong Cha Botany, Muffin Break Botany Town Centre, Sanitarium, Monterey Cinema Howick, and Boardertown Botany.
They contributed vouchers and donations which will either be given directly to families or used as prizes at the event.
“The businesses that contributed expressed curiosity about helping a community beyond their immediate neighbourhoods, highlighting a broader desire to make a difference.
“We’ve felt so privileged to connect up with many different people who show a heart for others and want to help.”
The project is an amazing opportunity to bring people in our area together to make a big difference in the Otara community.
“Our hearts are for the children, they find themselves in a place where through no fault of their own, they do not have enough to eat and Christmas is a time when we want to see smiles on their faces,” says Harrison.
“Projects like this help the most vulnerable and bring love into our community.”
People can support the project by donating money or buying toys to donate as Christmas gifts by. Email Angelica Lall at angelica.lall@lifenz.org.
“It would be awesome if people in Howick and Botany would be able to support this event.” Harrison says.
This fundraiser highlights just how important the Christmas spirit of giving is.
- Manayah Peiris is in year 7 at Somerville Intermediate School
