For Christchurch youth, the last few months have been a stressful time. With earthquakes, aftershocks, very low temperatures and rare snowfall, and all else that they have been through, it was time for a much needed break.
So, when members of the Papakura congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organised for over 50 youth to travel up to Auckland to spend the weekend with them, the Christchurch youth jumped at the chance. They touched down at Auckland Airport this afternoon.
Kingi Te Maari, a Latter-day Saint leader from Papakura, said the idea came from the Papakura youth and their youth leaders.
Local community groups, including the Police and the Maori Wardens, have supplied transport for the weekend. Families have opened up their homes to the young people, and donors in the community have made it possible for the airfares and other costs to be taken care of.
The Christchurch teenagers will join with Papakura youth playing sport, watching movies, and attending an inspirational evening with hundreds of other Auckland teens at a special meeting with US motivational speaker, Brad Wilcox.
The youth will travel back to Christchurch on Monday.
To read more about Latter-day Saint youth, go here.