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The Boshoff family is settling into life on the Coast, thanks to the generosity of Cherylle Wood of Bright Bears.
For several years, Cherylle Wood has been quietly going about the business of helping others at the Bright Bears childcare centre she runs in Whangaparaoa.
With the full support of the centre’s owner, Herbert Sima, Cherylle has been providing childcare at reduced prices, or even free of charge, to assist families who may be going through hard times. In particular, this has helped new immigrants to settle in, ensuring that their children are cared for while they look for work and get themselves set up.
Eleven years ago, Cherylle herself arrived from Zimbabwe with her 18-year-old daughter and five suitcases containing everything they owned.
Although she had worked all her life as an early childhood educator, her qualifications were not recognised and so, at the age of 58, she went back to university.
Being an adult student, she says, was an unexpected pleasure as it enabled her to get Maori input and perspectives, which she previously knew nothing about.
Although she found this community welcoming and supportive of new people, she understands the difficulties faced by new immigrants.
“When we arrived, neighbours brought us crockery, cutlery and even furniture to help us set up,” Cherylle says. “I believe in passing that kindness on and it’s so easy to do because Whangaparaoa is a close knit community, with a great spirit.”
Cherylle has worked at Bright Bears for four years and in that time has helped many local families.
“Some of them are battling financially because rent and food are expensive, so we might offer a reduced price or free place for a few months until they find their feet,” Cherylle says.
Annarize Botha describes her family’s recent move here from South Africa as “overwhelming”. She says she cried when Cherylle offered to take four-year-old son Jeandré at Bright Bears for half-price, so Annarize, a teacher, could look for work.
“I was desperate – without that help, I could not have begun to find a job,” Annarize says.
Annarize is now relief teaching while she adapts to the Kiwi way of doing things – something she says Cherylle is also helping her with.
“Teaching is very different here,” Cherylle says.
Both of the Boshoff family’s two children are at Bright Bears. Mum Jody says when they arrived in New Zealand they were prepared for the school fees, but their container arrived late and they had to move into a house with nothing.
“Cherylle arrived with a microwave and new plates – she had us in tears of gratitude,” Jody says. “We offered to pay her, but her simple challenge to us was to pay it forward. Cherylle is making a big difference in the community.”
