2020 Winter Magazine

CONTENTS

FOUNDER STATEMENT

2 A letter from Julia Hartshorne outlining recent events and
updates from Achieve 2B
STUDENT STORY OF THE PANDEMIC

3 Natasha (Achieve 2B student) shares her experience of New
Zealands lockdown
MEET THE NEW ACHIEVE 2B VOLUNTEERS

4 Achieve 2B welcomes the new volunteers, Erena and Manisha,
into the whanua
DISCUSSION DAY

5 Summary about the recent workshop where Board Members
and volunteers discussed the future of Achieve 2B

Photo below: Yummy hot cross buns baked
during NZ's lockdown by an Achieve 2B
volunteer

Photo above: Ideas and comments
written on post it notes from the recent
Achieve 2B Discussion Day

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FROM THE "Achieve 2B is looking
FOUNDERS DESK to find other ways for

JULIA HARTSHORNE young people to
engage in Intercultural
Kia Ora, Malo e lelei, G’day and Hello,
learning"
I can’t help but first acknowledge the
absolutely amazing job the ‘Team of 5 Million’ Although Achieve 2B has been ‘put on hold’ I
have done to bring the deadly Coronavirus to want to acknowledge our Volunteers and
heel within our little islands. In our Autumn Board who have continued to work behind the
edition, we were all in our ‘bubbles’ huddled scenes. In the last Magazine, I told you that
away but now we can move and reconnect Achieve 2B is looking to find other ways for
with family, friends, community, and engage in young people to engage in Intercultural
our ordinary lives. Vastly different from what learning. Although this is challenging, and in
is happening in other countries of the world. some areas may take longer than originally
In the spirit of global collaboration, New planned to produce a quality program. We are
Zealand could indeed be worldwide leaders in excited and expecting to be able to roll out a
how working together can combat the virus. series of regionally-based cultural days in
2021 as a lead up to the launch of the full
Not only have we had to combat the virus but remodeled program.
we have had to comprehend and listen to the
diverse arguments not only of health versus Unfortunately again due to the virus and
the economy but also the diverse voices border restrictions as time goes on, it is
within #BLM – ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement looking less and less likely that our Tongan
which has had a global impact. These voices and Australian students will return /come to
remind us of the democratic society we live New Zealand in 2020. It is such a shame and
in. But more importantly, these once in a we all have heavy hearts about this.
lifetime events will impact the future thinking However, we are in communications with them
of our young people which, will shape our about 2021 opportunities.
evolving world.
As we gear up to Spring and plan for 2021, I
urge you to stay connected to us through our
website and social media channels (Facebook
and Instagram) which will highlight the new
emerging Achieve 2B and planned activities,
registrations etc.

Thank you for staying connected to us. We
look forward to more exciting times ahead.

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A STORY FROM LOCKDOWN

NATASHA'S STORY

One of the skills that I have learnt both
during the exchange and in lockdown is
to be confident in myself as we are
uncertain of how long we are going to
be in this pandemic.When lockdown was
first announced I was scared as I didn’t
quite know what was going on as I
haven’t been in a pandemic before.
When lockdown ended I was excited as
I could have a little more freedom and
were able to see my extended family.
To keep myself occupied during
lockdown I did lots of baking, puzzles
and walks with my bubble.

Photos above: Homemade pizza, puzzles
and games kept the Achieve 2B
volunteers and students entertained
within their bubbles during the lockdown

Photo to left: New Zealand Newspaper
headline during the COVID-19 Lockdown.

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WELCOME NEW VOLUNTEERS

MANISHA

Office Administrator

We welcome Manisha - our first Office
Administrator, She comes to us with 15+
years of finance and office admin
experience. Manisha is excited to be apart
of Achieve 2B to make a difference in the
lives of young people with disabilities,

ERENA CALDER HAWKINS

Magazine Coordinator

Hi all! I am the new Magazine coordinator.
I can not wait to work with the amazing
team and students at Achieve 2B! I am a
passionate and optimistic person who
loves to inspire the best in people. I have
previous experience with the Waikato
University magazine and I also run a
personal blog. I joined Achieve 2B as a
volunteer to continue my personal
development in this creative role and to
create a meaningful impact on the
community.

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DISCUSSION DAY

ERENA CALDER HAWKINS

Saturday the 27th June, the Achieve 2B Photo above: Volunteers and board
volunteers and Board members got together members working hard at the recent
at disability connect to discuss the future of discussion day
Achieve 2B. The purpose of this day was to
find a clear direction on moving the new After kai (provided by the lovely Julia), the
program forward and what the programme is group started talking about the 2021 Achieve
going to look like in 2021 and, 2022 and 2B programme. The key ideas regarding the
beyond. There was a mixture of new and 2021 Achieve 2B programme were focused on
familiar faces at the meeting but the open having a condensed and region-specific
arms of the group (as well as some good kai delivery while promoting the future format of
and conversation) meant that everyone left Achieve 2B, 2022 and beyond.
that day feeling connected as an Achieve2B
whanau. Many ideas and thoughts shared during this
Saturday discussion day are still in the
The morning started with introductions and a workshop, but the future for Achieve 2B and
friendly game of bingo, before breaking off its’ students is exciting. A huge thank you to
into groups to discuss the new structure and all volunteers and board members involved in
content for the 2022 and beyond Achieve 2B the discussion day. Thank you for sharing
programme. Key points from this discussion your time and thoughts to ultimately improve
involved virtual and local New Zealand the lives of the Achieve 2B community and
cultural exchanges, as well as, the interesting beyond. Thank you to Julia for organising the
and thought-provoking topics covered during day and being open to all the ideas and
the programme. thoughts shared.

"Everyone left that day Keep an eye out for updates on the future of
feeling connected as an Achieve 2B by following the Achieve 2B
Facebook and Instagram.
Achieve 2B whanau."

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