Building Project - Beginning

Laying of time capsule at Blessing Ceremony - Tofilau Malelega, Sarah & Steve McRobie, Tiana

Four years ago our centre manager embarked on a journey of building a new purpose built preschool due to our increasing roll numbers, space issues and feedback from the community of bringing their children to Puna o le Atamai. Our current centre, an old classroom prefab stuck together with toilets and kitchen that adjoined another prefab catered for 28 children maximum. Despite numerous hours of talks with Ministry of Education, the verdict suggested we couldnt extend or increase our capacity. With that information at hand (which quickly became yesterdays news) Malelega set out to seek how she could achieve this dream. So equipped with oratory skills and passion, Malelega started several meetings with our parents and families which led to futher meetings with community groups, agencies and anyone that had an ear to listen to her desired dream of building another preschool. Her involvement and status in our Samoan community gave her a platform to work from. With that in tact and drive to get things done, our preschool journey began. Over the years we stumbled across several fundraising ideas that were successful (some not successful). We had a dedicated team of staff, parents and families that believed on every word Malelega pronounced wherever she went "we are going to build a new preschool for our children and those waiting to come, we are going to get land to do it". Often those unseen volunteer hours of fundraising, door knocking, talking, community surveys and networking started to take its toll however the core dedicated group of Malelega supporters persevered. We enlisted the help of Edupac Ltd which became the vital ingredient "the bridge" that gave us the platform to cast our dreams deeper and wider. Three years later, our line was caught, our dream was given a lifeline and hence a capital grant from the Ministry of Education of $1.137 million was granted in August 2009.

This marks a major milestone for Puna o le Atamai. This will be the 2nd centre we open under the Fountain of Knowledge Trust. The vision would not have been successful without a core group of people involved throughout the years. The board for their dedication and leadership. The Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs and their PPDF funding which has provided significant training through the leadership of Keneti Apa - Edupac Ltd. The support of our local community groups, Mangere Community Board, Manukau City Council. Tracy Massam - Ministry of Education rep and her committment,Tessa Apa - Signature Homes and numerous volunteers that provided their time, aroha and timely smiles. Last but not least the staunch core of family members that pursued the vision of their mentor, mother and leader to be successful in everything you do - No is not a word in her vocab.