Papa Jerry

Vote for Papa Jerry

For over thirty years my father has been know as Papa Jerry not just to his family but to many many others as well. Together with my mother they opened a Kohanga Reo at the back of their house. Through this, they have helped the community by educating their tamariki (children) and building an appreciation of manaakitanga (care for one another), arohatanga (love for one another) and whanaungatanga (family). When my mother passed away two years ago of a major stroke my father's loss of his soulmate made it difficult to continue on with their dream of a better community. But the big innocent smiles of the tamariki, calling 'Papa Jerry!' has given him every reason to carry on.
Recently my father has battled with arthrictic legs to stay involved in his community work - which expands from his work with local schools to advising on land matters for the local council. Yet, he still manages to find time for his 7 children, 35 mokopuna and 3 great-mokopuna.
His heart felt desire to care for hundreds of tamariki along with his huge community involvement and love for his whanau - in my eyes - makes him deserved of this prize.