This article was first published in eMessenger in July 2017.
As Methodists, we often under estimate the influence that we have in our community and worldwide. So it is good to stop and celebrate the work that Methodists have done which is changing the world. Here are two examples where Methodist organisations are doing work that is innovative and is creating a just and inclusive society where all people flourish.
Vahefonua’s Famili Lelei parenting programme is celebrating good healthy families
Vahefonua Tonga O Aotearoa is the Tongan part of the Te Haahi Weteriana O Aotearoa family and is also a member of the Methodist Alliance family. Siaola is Vahefonua’s social service provider and they have recently fulfilled a long held goal of delivering a programme based on Tongan Methodist Christian values and principles to address family violence and child abuse.
In June, Siaola held a successful pilot of their Famili Lelei parenting programme with six Tongan families referred by Tongan churches in Auckland. This is an innovative programme “For our Tongan Community by our Tongan Community” which has been developed, reviewed and constantly improved by Tongan professionals to meet the needs of the Tongan community. The programme is supported by research and a culturally based evaluation using Pasifika methodologies.
Research from Statistics New Zealand showed that 78% of the Tongan population lives in the Auckland region and 88% affiliate with at least one religion with Methodism being the largest. Church leaders are held in high respect within Tongan culture, and so Siaola decided to take a faith-based approach to prevent family violence and child abuse within the Tongan community. Research also showed that faith communities that provide good support and can have a significant impact at multiple levels of change, so it was decided to promote the Famili Lelei parenting programme within the Tongan churches.
Engagement in parenting programmes is often difficult due to the stigma of being labelled a “bad parent” with a focus on severe behavioural problems in high risk families. To overcome this barrier, Siaola intentionally chose to reverse this stigma by offering an inclusive parenting strengths based, culturally competent programme for all parents and caregivers. The programme is built on positive relationships and healthy communication in a safe and supportive cultural setting and providing an environment that fosters peer support and strong community relationships.
To further strengthen engagement of families Siaola decided to offer the initial eight modules of the parenting programme in a three day retreat setting. This was in response to the fall off of engagement of parents after the first few weeks of an eight session programme offered on a weekly basis.
At the retreat, the qualified facilitators emphasised confidentiality and privacy of the information shared. At the same time as parents completed the parenting programme, Siaola offered a separate children’s programme was run by qualified teachers. This provided the parents and caregivers with a level of comfort knowing that their children were safe and engaged in their own activities.
Siaola found that the families that attended formed strong bonds and left the programme equipped with skills to make significant changes in their lives and were determined to do so. They also left secure in the knowledge that they had support – from the professional facilitators, church community and peer support from other participants.
The retreat is followed by a six week parenting support group for parents to reinforce skills and techniques to implement at home with their children. Further on-going support is offered to families over the following year with monthly monitoring by facilitators.
A true measure of success is that the participants have gone back into their communities and shared their experience of the Famili Lelei programme which has resulted in a waitlist for the next programme.
Siaola have secured government funding for two more programmes which are being scheduled. Siaola’s plan is to roll out the programme to families from nine churches in the Auckland areas over the next 12 months.
This is ground breaking work to have a programme to prevent family violence and child abuse designed, delivered and evaluated by Tongans for Tongans – something that Siaolo, Vahefonua, and the whole Methodist family can celebrate.
From little things big things grow
Did you know that Neighbours Day Aotearoa grew out of shared vision of Lifewise and Takapuna Methodist Church to create a supportive, inclusive, creative, healthy and connected neighbourhood on the North Shore? Well it is true!
What started as a small community project in 2006, grew to become a nationwide campaign and has now gone worldwide – you can click on the map at http://www.world-neighbours-day.org/ to see what countries celebrate Neighbour’s Day.
While many think of Auckland's North Shore as an affluent area, it too has areas where new migrants, young families, people on their own don't feel connected to their neighbours and communities. Takapuna Methodist Church and Lifewise were motivated by concern for those living on the margins of society and wanted to be instrumental in creating supportive, creative, healthy, and inclusive communities. A community development worker built relationships in the North Shore and Auckland communities and social isolation and disconnection were identified as the highest need. The Know Your Neighbour initiative was established to support street and neighbourhood development, and to raise awareness and influence change.
Research showed that building trusting relationships between neighbours resulted in people reporting increased feelings of safety and security, and there was an actual reduction in crime rate in the area. The neighbourhood groups barbeques, food festivals, community workshops, establishment of Neighbourhood Support groups and social networking sites, resulted in greater community connectedness and social cohesion. Some people found new ways to connect with each other which impacted positively on the well-being of the entire neighbourhood, regardless of participation.
From this first local community project in 2006, Neighbour’s Day is now celebrated every March throughout Aotearoa - New Zealand and supported by Lifewise, Christchurch Methodist Mission, Inspiring Communities, the Mental Health Foundation, Neighbourhood Support NZ, and Public Libraries of NZ. The website has more information and lots of resources for you to get inspired – so check it out at http://neighboursday.org.nz/
Today the Northcote Takapuna Methodist Parish continues to provide community led development projects and are happy to share their learnings from this work. If you are Takapuna or Northcote and want to share worship with them service times can be found on their website - http://takapuna.methodist.org.nz/
They have a large pipe organ, beautiful toanga and art - more information about this is available on their website too.
Carol Barron, Methodist Alliance National Coordinator, Carol@MethodistAlliance.org.nz
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