When Lesley McGrath and Mike Hackett took over the leadership of education service Murihiku Learning Connections in 2022, they did not know whether the Invercargill community would come and do their learning programmes.
Four years on and the learning opportunities have been embraced by learners of varying ages and backgrounds from across the community.
The not-for-profit education outfit provides literacy, numeracy and science tuition as well as practical learning experiences including cooking, gardening and life skills for people of all ages and learning levels.
Murihiku Learning Connections director Lesley McGrath said she wanted to provide the kind of education in the community that would bring the different generations together and make a real difference in their lives.
"We are very much trying to create a whanau type community learning initiative," Ms McGrath said.
"It’s about learning through connecting with others in a safe space out of the classroom."
"I believe that there are students and adults that are still feeling anxious about going to school and socialising in public post-Covid, so getting them away from the screens and out of their homes would help them reconnect with others."
Local school-aged children as well as Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) students attend the weekly education programmes including adult learners who have "flourished" in the art, cooking and accounting classes.
The tuition programmes have been taught by local tutors from various venues across the city including Ms McGrath and Mr Hackett’s home and the current site at the Inspire Church hall.
Mr Hackett said he felt rewarded when a student had developed in their learning and returned to their studies and when adult learners were empowered with a new skill.
"This is about our neighbours, it’s about seeing our community grow together," he said.
The couple were "thrilled" that the learning programs were making an impact on people’s lives and hoped they could continue to reach more people in the community.
