A group of Mount Maunganui College students has spent the past month fundraising and assembling care bags to support women and teenagers seeking refuge from family violence.

The initiative was led by 15 Year 13 students in teacher Karen McFarlane’s senior social studies class as part of their social action studies, putting classroom learning into practice to support a local cause.

McFarlane said the project grew out of classroom discussions about ways students could make a positive impact in their own community.

“Social action is a big focus in our senior social studies course,” she said. “We look at examples around the world as well as here in Aotearoa. Several weeks ago, I began discussing what we could do to support a worthy local cause.”

Content of a care bag. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

The class agreed that Tauranga Women’s Refuge was an organisation they wanted to help. After researching the realities of family violence in New Zealand, the students were motivated to act.

“One of the students called Tauranga Women’s Refuge and they loved the idea of the care bags,” McFarlane said. “They told us there had been an increase in the number of teenagers seeking safety and that really resonated with my students.”

During 3-4 weeks, the class organised a school bake sale and sausage sizzle, raising enough money to purchase essential items including toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, lip balm, combs, pens, water bottles, sanitary products and deodorant, along with a few extra treats.

The wider school community also got behind the initiative, donating new and gently used handbags to fill with the supplies. Additional support came from First Credit Union Tauranga and a staff member who donated dōTERRA care packs.

In total, the students assembled about 26 care bags.

Year 13 student Eva Fyfe, 17, said the class quickly recognised the importance of supporting Women’s Refuge after learning more about the organisation and its work.

“Women’s Refuge was the first worthy cause that we discussed, then after looking at some statistics, we agreed that this was a perfect opportunity to help.”

While the sausage sizzle was challenging, Fyfe said it was also one of the highlights.

“We enjoyed the sausage sizzle, but it was super stressful! We were stoked that we made heaps of money for our fundraiser. It was a good experience.”

Seeing the finished care bags ready for delivery was a proud moment for the class, Fyfe said.

“It felt really good to see our care bags finished,” Fyfe said. “We were stoked with what we managed to do in a fairly short amount of time. They were full of some great things, and they looked great. All were packed with love.”

Care bags are ready to be given to Tauranga Women’s Refuge. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

She said the project had shown the students how simple it could be to make a difference.

“We’ve learned how easy it is to help others; how good it feels to help and also that other people want to help and support too.”

If she could share one message with the women and families receiving the bags, Fyfe said it would be: “That people care about them, that they were packed with love and to hang in there because life will get better”.

For McFarlane, the project had delivered lessons that would reach well beyond the classroom.

“I hope the students understand the importance of giving back to their community, especially those who are vulnerable,” she said. “I also hope they understand how easy it is to fundraise because so many people want to help and support good causes like Women’s Refuge.”

She believed the initiative also highlighted the generosity that exists within the local community.

“Once you get started, people genuinely want to support our community. It’s incredibly rewarding to know you are making a huge difference in somebody’s life and potentially their future.”