Te Are Pa Metua, Rarotonga’s elderly centre for senior citizens, has acquired a valuable creative tool for its members - a brand new sewing machine.

Members of the elderly civil society organisation now have a much wanted and useful machine that will be beneficial in stitching garments for themselves, and sewing home accessories.

The blessing of the sewing machine, as well as a brand-new computer system, which includes a printer, was held yesterday morning at the centre, situated at the Punanga Nui Market, attended by 20 of their members.

Nga Mokoroa, a member at the centre said “matoara au i teia auri tui kakau,” - she is happy to see they now have a sewing machine.

“We are lucky, we do our tuitui (sewing) and this machine will help us out, we can sew more things and talk more,” said Mokoroa.

Ninety-year-old Pito Maeva, an expert tivaivai maker was also pleased to see their new sewing machine, she said “mataoroa au, i na ra, meitaki kia tuku ia tetai au ture no te ta angaanga i teia auri, it will be good too to have someone teach the proper way to use it, so it will last longer.”

Coordinator of the Are Pa Metua, Moana-O-Liliuokalani Marsters said both the sewing machine ($380) and the computer package (approx.$2800) were purchased by means of the government’s Social Impact Fund (SIF).

Marsters said “we are very thankful to our government for these funds so that we were able to buy what we need for our center.

“Thank you also to friends and the families of our members who have always helped out with things we need.’

She said the sewing machine will come in handy for the mamas to sew their own dresses and with their tuitui (sewing).

For many years Te Are Pa Metua has been running without the assistance of a computer or a printer.

“Having our own computer system in our office is a big help for our administration work,” Marsters said.

The Cook Islands Social Impact Fund is a contestable grant fund administered by Te Tango Akarangatira Ora’anga or Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The SIF is fully funded by the Cook Islands Government to support and provide for the delivery of services by Registered Civil Society Organisations (CSO), Civil Society, Sports, Faith and Community groups.