CARING COMMUNITIES

Why do bad things happen to good people? Last year there was a ‘smash and grab’ raid on our local Superette in Raglan. Angry and supportive messages filled the community Facebook pages. Photos of the mess and damage were alarming and it wasn’t the first time the shop had been targeted like this. The owners are a delightful, hard working, kind couple.  
The following day after the raid I visited the shop and had a chat with the owner. Remarkably, the mess had been cleaned up and most of the damage was fixed. He was deeply touched with the love and practical support from locals. The offenders also raided the Te Uku General Store. There was less damage inflicted on the store due to the owner being on site and scaring them off. I spoke with one of the shop staff members and encouraged them as best I could. Surely my class could do something to help.
 After discussing the facts of what had occurred with my students we then explored how the owner and staff would be feeling. A question was posed. ‘What can we say to offer hope and support for members of the community that are hurting?’ The class decided that they would write letters to the shop staff. Each student wrote a beautiful, reassuring letter from their heart. Later that morning we all walked to the store to hand deliver the letters. The staff were touched by the sincerity of the many messages and their way of saying thanks to us was a lollipop each, much to the children’s delight. 


POINTS to PONDER

Collective caring is powerful, appreciated and makes a positive difference. We need each other in good times and bad.

If you know of anyone who is going through a similar traumatic event, work through your anger and concern to offer words of encouragement and/or practical support.

Let your children see by your example that living in a community means that caring in a community is important.


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