Aloha La'akea Supporters!

It is time for our annual kids' fundraiser.....

We, the parents of Ai'ala and Kai'ea are reaching out to our larger community, gathering support for their continued education.  Can you support us with a donation for the next school year?  You may send checks to La’akea Community at PO Box 1071, Pahoa, HI  96778 or make a donation through Paypal to laakea@permaculture-hawaii.com.

The Waldorf school year starts up again in just a month.  We are full of gratitude as we reflect back upon how inspirational, educational and supportive the school is in our children's lives.  Kai'ea and Ai'ala are both thriving and maturing under the care of their teacher Karen Rose Jenkins and the Malamalama Waldorf school.  This would not have been possible without the generous gifts towards their tuition these past three years!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to those who have supported us!  It means more than we could ever convey in a letter!

You would be impressed with their lovely volumes of art and school work they have created this past year.  It is a blessing to have them go to this school where their creativity is cultivated and nurtured through knitting, drawing, painting, singing, construction, gardening, music and so much more.  Here’s them performing on their recorders with Kai’ea leading the class. (That’s why you only see the back of his red shirt.)

This year they have both taken great leaps forward in their reading and math skills. Both like to read and can read simple books on their own now.

We are grateful as both Ai'ala and Kai’ea feel seen and cared about in this school. Their unique talents and characteristics are thoroughly known by the staff.  Kai’ea's special music talents are integrated into school performances.  Ai'ala's keen eye for crafts is nurtured in the many creative endeavors each school day.

In May Biko and Tracy needed to go to the Kona side for a marimba performance.  For the first time they invited Ai’ala to miss two days of school to go with them and camp on the beach.  Most kids’ dream.  Ai’ala didn’t want to go.  She said, “I don’t want to miss handwork!”.  She completed a crocheted doll this year.

Kai’ea came racing home in May to announce “We passed!” at the completion of their Shelters block.  His group’s outdoor structure survived the bucket test – when they were all seated inside no one got wet when a 5 gallon bucket was poured on top.

If you are able to contribute financially we would greatly appreciate it. While the Waldorf school is wonderful, it is also over our budget.  It really does take a village to raise children.

"The heart of the Waldorf method is that education is an art - it must speak to the child's experience. To educate the whole child, his heart and will must be reached, as well as the mind." ~Rudolf Steiner

Sincerely,

Tracy, Biko and Aniko

La’akea Community

 

PS –For more pictures of the kids at La’akea friend us on Facebook – Tracy Matfin, Biko Long, Aniko Willoughby and La’akea Community