"Do you need a hand with some work that needs doing at your place, or know someone else who might? If you're senior or disabled or simply need a hand in some way, we can help ... Tawa College students will be working in the local community. If you need weeding done, windows cleaned, scrub cleared, car washed, fence painted, or other work done around your house, then give us a call [at the Tawa Community Centre] now."

That's how the Tawa College "work day" was advertised in the community. As it turned out, for most of the 200+ Year 10 students, it was more like half-a-day. In groups of 8 to 12 kids, some 35 local householders were given a hand with work around their property by these "able-bodied youngsters". The kids themselves (mostly aged 15) seemed to enjoy working with their mates and, for many, getting stuck into gardening, hedge-trimming and other "chores" they'd never actually done before. The exercise benefitted both them and the mostly elderly Tawa residents who appreciated the assistance given them on the day as well as inter-acting with a bunch of teenagers they had previously never met.

Well done to the kids themselves and to the Tawa College teacher who organised the event. Hopefully it'll be something that happens again.

[Click on pics to enlarge].