Tō Mātou Whakaaro, Ā Mātou Kupu - Our Thoughts, Our Words - Akonga Pūrākau - Literacy Waitakere

Akonga Pūrākau
                Tō Mātou Whakaaro,
                   Ā Mātou Kupu
                            Hakihea 2020

     Our Thoughts, Our Words
                            December 2020

Student Writing Book 2020                    Page 1

The Story of Taurus and Vega

A long time ago, a young man lived in an area far away from the city. His parents
had both died early so he lived alone, with an old cow. He worked during the day
and rest at night, he was named Taurus by people. Taurus was not only hard-
working, but also kind and honest. He often helped others.

At the same time, a beautiful young girl lived in heaven with her six sisters and their
powerful mother, the Heavenly Queen. People called this girl The Seventh Vega.

One day, Vega played on the field with her six sisters, where Taurus was planting
on the field. When they met, they fell in love with each other! Her mother, the
Heavenly Queen, disapproved of their love, but her sisters supported them, so
Vega came down from heaven and married Taurus. After getting married, Taurus
planted on the field again and Vega weaved, they were so happy. Soon they
had one daughter and one son.

The Queen was very angry when she knew this, so she sent someone to bring
Vega back and monitored her. Taurus was very worried and the children were
always crying loudly…… Suddenly the cow said: you can kill me and wear my skin,
then you can see her in heaven! Taurus killed the cow with tears, wore the skin and
took the two children to find Vega.

When they were meeting with the Queen, she pulled out her hairpin and drew a
line between them, immediately a Milky Way appeared on the sky and separated
them. The Queen only allowed Taurus and
Vega to see each other once a year - on
the seventh day of the seventh lunar
month.

Since then, on the seventh day of the
seventh month every year, magpies would
come to form a bridge over the Milky Way
to let Taurus with the children to meet Vega
on the magpie bridge!

This is the story about Taurus and Vega in
China.

Xiao

Footnote: The seventh day of the seventh
month on the lunar calendar is known as The
Qixi Festival, or Chinese Valentine's Day

Student Writing Book 2020                                                     Page 23

Nomad Life
My country is Tibet. I was
born to an East Tibetan
nomad family. We move
to a new place every
season. In summer we
have to cross big rivers.
The people ride horses
and the yaks carry our
belongings because
there are no cars or
motorbikes in the
countryside.

                                               In spring, herbs grow naturally.
                                               We camp everywhere so we
                                               can collect the herbs. There are
                                               lots of people camping in one
                                               place, sometimes up to a
                                               hundred horsemen and
                                               women.

                                               Our tents are very simple.
                                               Sometimes it gets very cold
                                               because of the snow and wind.

                                               During the herb harvesting
                                               seasons, young people date
                                               each other.

In the afternoon, we dance around a fire and cook delicious
food.

Old people make plans and decisions for the group. We
camp too far from home for one or two months.

Literacy Waitakere Student Writing Book 2020                              Page 24

During the three seasons people make money and have a
good and happy time. In summer our shoes change colour
from the colours of the flowers in the fields and the smell is
nice.

I like camping and pick natural medicine with friends.

I miss the past…….

Nyandak

Literacy Waitakere Student Writing Book 2020                Page 25

The Most Popular Art in My Country

In my country, Iraq, painting is now the most popular art form. Most
people who like to paint do it to express their emotions through their
art.

My people in Iraq have been through a lot of sadness and sorrow and
they are still going through that because of the war; their art expresses
how it has affected them. There are people who have lost their
homes, friends and families, so you can tell what the artists' emotions
are from their painting. They may be angry, sad or happy.

Literacy Waitakere Student Writing Book 2020                        Page 26

Recently there are a lot of murals in the streets painted during the
protests at the beginning of this year. Here are some of the murals
found in the streets of Baghdad, the capital of Iraq.

Marwah Alshammari

Literacy Waitakere Student Writing Book 2020                           Page 27

Our Kiwi Korero Learning During Term 3
At the beginning of last term we were all together. Then we had a second
lockdown and went into Level 3. Tutor Anne W sent group texts to Akiko,
Bounpheng and Nyandak. Everyone could read them. Akiko and Nyandak
texted back. Bounpheng said this was too hard.

In level 3 Nyandak and Akiko did online learning with Anne from their
homes. Nyandak used his laptop and Akiko used her phone. In Level 2.5
Literacy Waitakere was open again and Nyandak and Akiko came back.
Anne needed to stay away until Level 1 so Nyandak and Akiko continued
online learning with her. Akiko used a computer and Nyandak used a
laptop. Soon after Bounpheng came back too. With the help of Tooki and
Maria she started emailing on a laptop for the very first time. Anne was
very excited when she started getting emails from Bounpheng!

For karakia Anne sent
everyone a link to a waiata
about Matariki that they could
click on and sing along to. Akiko
said it was very funny because
first one of them and then
another would click on the link.
They all got to hear the song
several times and every time,
everyone joined in the singing!

Everyone said there were some
things that were good about
online (using email) learning and
some things that were not so
good. Not so good things
included not being able to have
an immediate answer to
questions. It was also not so
good because you could listen

Literacy Waitakere Student Writing Book 2020                         Page 28

to the pronunciation of English from links Anne sent but she couldn’t
listen to you and help you with your own pronunciation. Nyandak said he
could end up feeling sleepy because he didn’t have group interaction to
keep him awake! Akiko said she worried about finishing everything on
time. (Anne said she hadn’t minded much about the timing as she had
plenty of time free at home during Lockdown. She knows we need some
boundaries but everyone in the group is very respectful. We were all
learning as we went along doing online learning together).

Nyandak said one of the good things about online learning was the
practice with spelling and making sentences. Akiko liked how focused she
could be, as well as thinking deeply about the topics. They both liked the
YouTube links to stories and songs and the stories Anne sent that had
missing words they needed to fill in. Bounpheng read messages from Anne
and replied with some great sentences. Sometimes she wrote them on
paper first then typed them into the laptop.

We were all very glad to see each other again at Level 1 in Term 4.
There’s nothing better than being together (!! :-) but we have learnt a lot
about how we can adapt our learning strategies if we need to.

We made this Kiwi
Korero story
together – Akiko,
Bounpheng,
Nyandak and Anne
W., and Akiko drew
the pictures.

Literacy Waitakere Student Writing Book 2020                          Page 29

How God Created the Islands of Japan

I grew up in Akashi city in Honshū, Japan until I was 10 years old. This small
city has a beautiful coast and it has an Astronomical Observatory because
it lies on the meridian. Akashi has a lot of history and interesting stories - I
want to tell you one of the most famous legends about an island across the
water from my city called Awaji Island.

When the God and his wife the Goddess wanted to create Japan, they
stirred the sea with a stick. When they pulled the stick out of the water, one
droplet from the stick dripped into the sea - it formed the first island of
Japan and that was Awaji Island! Many Japanese don't know this story but I
love this fantastic story!
There is an old shrine on Awaji Island that tells this story.
Akiko Irii

                                               In this picture, the white line marks the sea between
                                               Honshū and Shikoku Islands. You can see the tiny
                                               island of Awaji in the top right corner.

Literacy Waitakere Student Writing Book 2020                                                 Page 30

The Birth Story of Lord Ganesha

Once Goddess Parvati, the wife of God Shiva, was at home in Mt. Kailash
preparing to have a bath. She didn’t want anyone to disturb her, so she told
Nandi (Shiva’s bull) to guard the door and don’t let anyone come inside the
house. Nandi was doing his job faithfully, but when Shiva came home Nandi
let him come inside the home because Nandi’s first loyalty goes to Shiva.
Goddess Parvati was angry at Nandi so she took the turmeric paste from her
body and breathed life into it. She created Ganesh, declaring him as her
loyal son.

The next time when Parvati had a bath she asked Ganesh to guard outside
the house and don’t let anyone come inside the house. At that time, Shiva
arrived at Kailash but Ganesha didn’t let him come inside the house, so
Shiva was very angry with him. Shiva asked his army to kill Ganesha but all of
his army failed to kill Ganesha. Ganesha was not an ordinary boy. Shiva
decided to fight with him and he cut off Ganesha’s head.

When Parvati knew about this incident she was very angry at Shiva. She
wanted to destroy the world. Lord Bharma, Creator of the world talk with
Parvati, but the first condition was that she wanted her son back and the
second was that Ganesha would forever be worshipped before all the
other gods.

Shiva realized his mistake and he agreed with Parvati’s conditions. Shiva
sent Bharma to get the head of first creature that is facing the north (as the
north signifies permanence or immortality). Soon after Bharma came back
with the head of an elephant and Shiva placed the elephant head onto
Ganesha’s body. Breathing new life into him, he declared Ganesha as his
own son. He is known as the god of wisdom and the remover of obstacles.

                                           Lord Ganesha

Literacy Waitakere Student Writing Book 2020                             Page 31

My Mother

As I was sitting alone with my family and my mother one
day……a thought crossed my mind so I departed from the house.

And as my mother arrived home, she found my letter. And these
are the words I wrote.

Dear mother,

I want you to pay me money for my following chores (jobs) and
for cutting the grass, it’s five dollars. And for gathering the
firewood for our fire every day, it’s four dollars. And for
washing the dishes plenty of times, it’s three dollars. And for
collecting the rubbish every morning, it’s two dollars. And for
making the bed every morning, it’s one dollar. So for the total
amount, it’s fifteen dollars.

As I returned to my house, my mother was not there but these
are the words from her letter:

I carried you in my womb for nine months without payment. I
breast fed and fed you…..without payment. I slept every night
offering to keep you warm when it was cold, and I also prayed
for you….without payment. I watched over you all day and night,
and carried you to the hospital when you were sick……with no
payment. I clothed you, put you in school and paid for your
education without payment.
And for all the payments, I gave you all of these things, my life
and my love, and all of my strength to care for you.
Literacy Waitakere Student Writing Book 2020                 Page 32

My mother, full of love and compassion. You are a life giver
(saviour) of the family. You do not deny the sufferings.

How can a mother forget, giving birth to her child with pain.
In her time of facing sufferings?
My Lord, pour out your blessings over my mother.
Mother dearest, how much of your love
You cared, clothed…and fed me, so that I may live.
And now I’ve found this freedom
How I was stupid, and weak
Mother dearest, have mercy and forgive me
Her love is endless
As she gave her life facing sufferings
But never denying her love
Touch me, forgive me my mother

Maria Petelo

Literacy Waitakere Student Writing Book 2020                   Page 33

My Life Story
When I was a child, I lived in Chin city, Hakha. There are 7 people in my
family and my father worked as a plumber and my mother worked as a
seamstress of cultural clothing. I have 2 older sisters and 1 older
brother and 1 younger brother and I love him.

I went to school when I was 6 years old. It was a small school. I stayed
there for four years. We learnt to read and write in Myanmar and
English. I left school when I was 12 years old.

I went to high school in the city. I stayed in that school five years and I
left the school at 17 years old. I worked with my sister making cultural
clothing and on Sunday I went to Sunday school.

When I was 20 years old I learnt about the bible through
correspondence school and my last job was a Sunday school teacher for
two years.

Then I went to Malaysia. I stayed in Malaysia for 10 years. My job was
making Bamboo blinds. I married in Malaysia, and I had a daughter. My
family came to New Zealand on the 28/6/2018, so I am happy.

Thla Par

Literacy Waitakere Student Writing Book 2020                          Page 34

My Story
When I was a child I lived in India. My father worked on a
farm.
My mother worked on a rice and vegetable farm.
I didn’t go to school when I was a child. I stayed home with
my mother and helped her.
I looked after cows, goats and an ox. I liked doing house
work. I liked flowers and gardening. I liked dogs.
When I was a child I was frightened of snakes.
Uma

Literacy Waitakere Student Writing Book 2020                 Page 35

What Healed Me From Grieving

Nature is my healing place.
It is what grounds me.
It’s what helps me to reflect on what’s
going on inside of myself and my environment.
It’s what gives me peace and joy all in one.
It’s what helps me focus and be clear on my mission in life.
It gives me purpose and is so soul satisfying.
It’s a reminder of how to appreciate
The smallest things to the greatest.
It’s so soothing and comforting.
It’s one of my happy places.
It allows me to be myself and free
From worry, stress and anxiety.
It’s my sense and place of
belonging.
It’s where I find identity.
It heals in ways that are so
rejuvenating.
It’s uplifting and pure in all its beauty.
Its natural beauty doesn’t need make up or botox.
Nature, the most gorgeous creation in my eyes
Because nature is pure love.
This is what I do …….

Wendy

Literacy Waitakere Student Writing Book 2020               Page 36

Breathe
Breathing being a miracle, what if I can’t find peace? I
decided that there are a lot of things in life that I can’t
control, and circumstances.
Maybe if I don’t rely on externals I could be happier. My
choice is breathing; it just happens but conscious breathing is
not taking each breath for granted. Just like life is a miracle.
Now I’m trying to be conscious of each breath and grateful;
this releases me from my thoughts and allows space. It allows
me to know my worth as being of life. Breath doesn’t judge
itself; it is unconditional love of life.
Paul Chappory

Literacy Waitakere Student Writing Book 2020                  Page 37

Te Whare Tapa Whā at Literacy Waitākere
Te Ao Māori has much to teach us about a holistic approach to life and work. Te Whare
Tapa Whā is a model of the four dimensions of wellbeing developed by Sir Mason Durie in
1984 to provide a Māori perspective on health. They are:
taha tinana (physical wellbeing)
taha hinengaro (mental wellbeing)
taha wairua (spiritual wellbeing)
taha whānau (family wellbeing).
With 4 walls, the wharenui (meeting house) is a symbol of these four dimensions. The
wharenui’s connection with the whenua (land) forms the foundation for the other 4
dimensions.
During lockdown, one of our learners wrote about what this model means to her and her
learning, and how Literacy Waitākere supports her by using it.

Literacy Waitākere has given me a reason to get out of bed. Literacy
Waitākere is a foundation and a stepping-stone for me.
Being part Maori, I find Te Whare Tapa Whā important to me. For
instance, on the Wairua (spiritual) side, we have Karakia and waiata.
The Tinana side (physically), we have Brain Gym, and study learning
about healthy eating and hydration for learning which is good for the
mind.
On the Whanau (family) side, we have become like a family and
support each other. For Hinengaro (Mental health) we have done
relaxation and stress management exercises which helps my anxiety
around learning.
Literacy Waitākere has been supportive of my mental health whereas
other places haven’t been. I would be lost without Literacy Waitākere
and all the support they have
been giving me.

Lisa

Literacy Waitakere Student Writing Book 2020                                           Page 38

Literacy Waitakere Student Writing Book 2020   Page 39

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Student Writing Book 2020                                                                Page 40