A new fundraising initiative to manufacture more than 1000 lifesaving wood burning stoves and water heaters for the people of Ukraine is being launched.
Kiwi K.A.R.E chairman and former Tauranga Mayor, Tenby Powell, says this latest initiative follows a trial run last year which was hugely successful.
“When we first distributed heaters and stoves last year, many who received them said they were lifesavers. Such was their success that word has spread like wildfire – quite literally. Currently we have requests for over 1000 and anticipate this will easily grow to 1200.”
As with many initiatives in war torn Ukraine, Kiwi K.A.R.E’s approach for the project has been to work with what is available, remodelling old recycled electrical water cylinders.
“We put a call out on social media for donations of old water cylinders and they have come pouring in from all over Ukraine,” says Tenby.
“The old cylinders are stripped down to access the core tank. This is then cut and welded into various sized stoves and water boilers.
“At a build cost of between $160 and $260, Kiwi K.A.R.E is now launching a dedicated fundraising initiative aimed at finding the $250,000 necessary to support those families in most need.
Manufacturing of stoves and water heaters in Kyiv
“Eastern European winters are harsh, and we know the inevitable targeting by Russia of civilian infrastructure, such as power and water facilities, will come once again.
“We are doing our best to get ahead of that and the snow fall.”
Kiwi K.A.R.E has started a new Give-a-Little page called Providing Vital Winter Warmth - with Love from New Zealand, specifically aimed at raising the funds needed to continue collecting old electrical water cylinders and re-purposing them into the stoves and water heaters.
Tenby says each stove has a metal plaque attached which simply says, ‘With Love from New Zealand’.
“Our little country, on the other side of the world is becoming well known in Ukraine due to the stellar service of many New Zealanders who have come to support them in their darkest hour during an existential and genocidal war.”
To donate visit https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/providing-vital-winter-warmth-to-ukraine
New Zealand is spreading its support and love across the 1000 km front that Ukraine is defending.
2 comments
It's official; 10B is square with me.
Posted on 18-11-2023 13:36 | By morepork
I voted for Tenby Powell as Mayor because I thought his military background would bring some needed discipline to the Council. It was a bitter disappointment and I know many people shared my feelings. But, if an "amends project" was to be made, I believe he has shown that he is a good man and this Ukraine project is very impressive. I have wiped my slate regarding 10B. This is an outstanding effort and cancels previous lapses in administering Tauranga (IMHO). He just needs the right kind of project to let him shine. Can you imagine any of the current Commissioners taking on something as selfless as this? Or as difficult? Or as well-intentioned? I was moved by this article and I'll be donating. (If I was some years younger I'd be over there helping him...) Well Done, 10B and team; we are proud of you!
Outstanding Mr Powell - Tauranga needs you
Posted on 24-11-2023 17:06 | By Alex Aroha
We owe a huge debt of thanks to this man for lancing the boil that was TCC councilors. He broke the cycle of twenty years of incompetence and the city is now progressing like never before. He bounced back from advanced cancer and has started a highly regarded humanitarian aid agency working under extreme conditions. Utterly selfless. I know many who want to to see him back and working for Tauranga - but with a top team, not the laggards of old.
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.