Posted on 07 March 2022
Working with 9 partner organisations across 7 countries, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is now well into the first year of implementing its Negotiated Partnership programme He Oranga Taurikura. With a focus on health and wellbeing, and climate and livelihoods resilience, He Oranga Taurikura is marked by the high number of inspirational women working in organisational and community leadership roles both within our partner and target communities and also in NZ-based support and programme management.
Caritas are particularly proud of the many long-term aid and development-based relationships that have been built between Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand and He Oranga Taurikura partners, some of which extend beyond 15 years. Without these relationships, and the incredible vision, leadership, and work-ethic of these women featured below, implementing He Oranga Taurikura would be a much greater much challenge than it has been under closed-borders and multiple COVID19 flare-ups. In many ways, these women have had to work harder, smarter and with greater determination to take their place in leadership and realise their vision for their respective organisations and communities they serve and support.
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand wish to honour their commitment and energy on this International Women’s Day 2022.
Mavis Tito – National Director of Caritas Papua New Guinea, covering 22 provinces and with oversight of just under 20 staff working in Integral Human Development (IHD), Peacebuilding, Disaster and Relief Management; and Research and Advocacy
Suliana Falemaka - Director of Caritas Tonga and a key person on the ground in the wake of the recent volcano and tsunami in Tonga as well as being central to two negotiated partnership programmes.
Mana Dortia Kese – Director of Hamahon Feto Timor, Timor Leste. Providing Umbrella and organisation enhancing and supporting livelihoods rural Timorese women since independence in 2002.
Chantelle Khan – Director Social Empowerment Education Programme (SEEP), Fiji. Advocating and supporting indigenous Fijian communities journey towards self-determination.
Selina Kuruleca – Special advisor and women’s livelihoods programme design and review facilitator, Tutu Rural training Centre, Taveuni Island, Fiji.
Finau Leveni – International Programmes Manager – Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand. Keeping the Negotiated Partnership wheels turning and leading a team of Programme Coordinators based in Wellington NZ.
