Course gives teenage mums an education

The first young mums and pregnant teenagers' education programme opened with a powhiri at Piritahi Marae.

The Te Pa Harakeke course aims to help teenage mothers attain a basic level of education, taking them to NCEA level one while teaching them life skills such as budgeting, nutrition and child development.

Five young mothers and their babies plus two pregnant teenagers were joined by whanau at the powhiri which heralded the first day of the 15 week course.

Kaumatua Wally Manahi welcomed the students and their teachers led by Cheryl Rahui, Fran Lapsley and Waimarie Smith.

Also present were Ray Ericson and Tony Sears from the island's community board, which helped fund the course, and midwives Beatle Treadwell and Linda Hodson who brought some of the babies into the world.

Fran Lapsley from Waiheke Adult Literacy says the impetus for the programme came from a noticeable increase in the number of teenagers giving birth, and the number of girls who had signed up for the course was a credit to Ms Rahui who had encouraged the girls and their whanau to take part.

Community board chairman Mr Sears told the gathering: "I can't think of a safer and nicer place for young mothers and their babies to grow together and learn together."

To take part in the education programme, to offer help or for more information call Mrs Lapsley on 372-9868, text Ms Rahui on 027-262-9943 or email waihekeadultliteracy@ihug.co.nz.

- Waiheke Marketplace