Te Waipuna Puawai Mercy Oasis (TWP) is creating healthier families and stronger communities by supporting Glen Innes women to take up education.

TWP is a community development initiative established by the Sisters of Mercy New Zealand in 1999.  They provide women with ‘second chance’ education and employment opportunities, while taking care of their children at their early childhood centre.

The women who come to TWP are facing a number of challenges.  Some have experienced violence, others live in overcrowded homes and most struggle to pay their bills.  Early childhood education participation is low in the Glen Innes and Tamaki areas, where TWP is based.

“I wanted to be a better role model for my children and to give my babies a better start in life,” says one TWP client, who has completed a Certificate in Community Skills.

In the past year, TWP had 352 certificate course enrolments in association with Unitec and Manukau Institute of Technology.

“It’s about demonstrating to other women in their community that they are just as capable of completing tertiary study as anyone else,” says Puamiria Maaka, TWP Manager.

The Tindall Foundation has made a 3-year commitment to fund expenses for the TWP ‘He Ohaki Mai’ community-based enterprise and employment project, for low income, Maori, Pacific, refugee and migrant women living in Glen Innes.

For further information contact:

Puamiria Maaka, Manager, Te Waipuna Puawai Mercy Oasis

Email: puamiria@twp.org.nz

Website: www.twp.org.nz