KEY PEOPLE

Mavis Kamota
 

My name is Mavis Kamota, I was born in Zimbabwe and I am a proud mother of 3 grown up children and 2 beautiful granddaughters. I am a Registered nurse and I moved to New Zealand 12 years ago, to work and provide a decent life for my children.

Why the name "Embracing Diversity #IAmUnique"?
Moving to NZ made me realize the challenges that are faced by the minority ethnic Communities. I told myself, I needed to do something for the young ones so that they are empowered with confidence and be able to handle the challenges they face in school and in social life. It is good to start at a young age, hence the target group is 5-20 years.

Objective
This is driven from my nursing professional principle background, to be courteous and treat all people with equal respect and dignity regardless of sex, race or national origin.
My dream is to have all cultures & ethnicities come together and be bound by love.

Founder, Chairperson

Aeronwy Cording
 

Kia Ora, my name is Aeronwy Cording, mother to Zahara Cording, who is of Pākehā and Zimbabwean descent.
I am a High School Teacher, here in Christchurch, specialising in vocational pathways, life and employment skills. I am passionate about empowerment, advocacy and giving children a strong sense of personal identity.
I am excited about being on the Empowering Diversity #iamunique committee because I see the importance of giving my daughter a link to both of her heritages. To love what makes her African and to celebrate what it means to be both Zimbabwean and a Kiwi. This way, she can be strong in her sense of self and grow to inspire others to love who they are, and the beauty they bring to the world around them.

We desire to bequeath two things to our children; the first one is roots, the other one is wings. — Sudanese proverb

‘he aha te mea nui o te ao? Māku e kī atu, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata’ : What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people

Treasurer

Beaular Jachi
 

My name is Beaular, 25 years of age, I came to New Zealand at the age of 7 from Zimbabwe, l am now a mother to a beautiful 4 year old Zimbabwean princess.
I am excited to be on the committee because I’m raising an African kiwi child whom I want to embrace every aspect of herself.

I want to see all kids from all diversities to come together and embrace their uniqueness while loving and respecting one another. I believe that we can shape the next generation to be better. Kids need to be able to confront the challenges they experience with confidence, power and love.

Growing up I was always told it takes a village to grow a child and for my daughter I know that Embracing Diversity will contribute to my child’s development in a positive and empowering way.
Children need to embrace their identity and believe that we are different in a unique way.

Youth Leader

Joy Nnenna Hall
 

Kia Ora.  My name is Mrs. Joy Nnenna Hall. You can call me (Nnenna). I was born in Nigeria. I have two children. A gorgeous daughter and a cute son who are now adults. After my primary and higher education in Nigeria, I went to United Kingdom to further my education. I graduated from King’s College London, University of London as a nurse. I currently work as a senior registered nurse in the elderly care industry.

Growing up in my Country Nigeria, my parents taught me to be respectful, to be honest, to be kind to others and above all to show compassion. Arriving in New Zealand 11 years ago, sometimes, I have felt excluded, shamed, interrupted, and had experienced prejudicial remarks. I remembered how I felt in those situations, my goal would be to lend a hand / empathise with anyone else facing similar situations. My key points are to remember we all have a common ground, and we all deserve a better understanding of where we are coming from and believe that it is going to be okay. To educate our children to be kind, patient, accommodating, warm, welcoming, tolerant, and be affectionate to other people from different diversities.

Embracing Diversity #IAmUnique to me means the need for a sense of belonging, both intellectually and emotionally. As my profession demands, you need to listen to everyone as an individual, regardless of their skin colour, disability, religion, gender to mention but few. To embrace diversity, you need to engage with different ethnic groups and this can be achieved by understanding your own story because; when you are able to understand your humble beginning as an African, you would be able to value others, listen to others, observe, pay-attention, show compassion and empathy where it is needed.

To be nominated by my Nigerian Community to represent my country as one of the executive team members of Embracing Diversity, I felt so excited to be part of an organisation whose goal was the same as mine. This is the ultimate. For me, this is where children will be allowed to be children, engaged with one another, learn how to socialise without any fear. Play together, dance together, build relationships and above all form and build friendships.

This privileged position that was accorded me will showcase what Embracing Diversity truly is, it will create a warm welcome for others, it would bring children and youths together, it would be receptive to discussing the issue of any child or someone who says they are experience a challenge at work or school. This gallant team have got the skill that would stimulate a respectful exchange of ideas in our group settings to make our members and children feel safe whatever the case may be. Aroha New Zealand. he takitahi Motuhake tatou katou i ta tatou ake huarahi.

Committee Member