Synopsis
Ora Konnect
Ora Konnect is a collective impact initiative based in the south-western suburbs (4412) of Te Papaioea / Palmerston North. THINK Hauora partnered with iwi and Māori in the establishment of Ora Konnect. A community profile was established for the Western/Southern suburbs – “Karanga te Rā, Karanga te Ao”. The information and insights enabled as a result of this community engagement highlighted significant opportunities to improve social, economic and health outcomes for whānau residing in the 4412 locality. From this process an Alliance was established, and the community named the locality and the Alliance… Ora Konnect. Ora Konnect is underpinned by the aspiration to create “Healthy, Connected Communities” through the delivery of projects and mutually reinforcing activities that support whānau in four Whānau Ora outcome areas:
Tiaki Taiao – Stewardship of living, natural and digital environments
Pūkenga Rawa – Skills, knowledge and wealth creation
Pāporitanga – Meaningful participation in society
Hauoranga – Healthy, connected communities
Each year a revised programme of action is developed, and squads (cross sector teams) take responsibility to drive the delivery of the programme of action. An overview of this initiative will be provided, and one squad example (RIMA Wellbeing Programme) will be explored in depth.
RIMA
Former Refugee
Internally displaced person
Refugee-like Migrant
Asylum seeker
In Japanese, RIMA means advantage or benefit
In Bahasa Indonesia, RIMA means a peaceful way of life
In Arabic, RIMA means white deer (symbol of skillfully effecting change)
In Malayu, RIMU means tiger (symbol of protection and a strong community)
In Māori, RIMA means five, and in Cook Island Māori, RIMA means hand - RIMA represents the five fingers of the hand and therefore the many pertinent actions of the hand. Māori have many references to ’hands’. One example is within the proverb, “He rau ringa e oti ai ngā whakarīra - many hands complete the task at hand” meaning it requires the community working together to achieve the desired result.
The RIMA Wellbeing Programme aims to connect the RIMA community for wellbeing through improved participation, greater empowerment, and a more culturally inclusive healthcare experience. Encompassing 5 main areas: - Network Development, Relationship Management, Data Collection, Bridging Health Barriers and Sustainability.
Biography
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Febry Suharto
RIMA Wellbeing Coordinator
THINK Hauora
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Febry Suharto was born in Indonesia and grew up in Palmerston North. In 2004, Febry and her family went back to Indonesia and this, together with her background as a registered social worker focusing on Child Welfare and People with Disabilities, motivated her to pursue her Masters in International Development Studies back in Aotearoa.
The RIMA Wellbeing Programme was borne out of many discussions following the findings from Febry Suharto’s Master's research project. This research entitled “Exploring the refugee disability interface: A case study of the needs and knowledge-base of the Palmerston North’s Muslim Community”, found five main barriers for former refugees accessing health services in Palmerston North, including: Language, Housing and Transportation, Cultural Misunderstanding, Stereotypes and Lack of Information. It used action research aligning with the mahi at Red Cross Pathway to Settlement programme involving the former refugee community and service providers in Palmerston North.
Febry was appointed as the RIMA Wellbeing Coordinator at THINK Hauora in November 2020 and has been very passionate to bridge the gap for former refugees in accessing better health services. She has led a variety of projects that were tailored specifically to the needs of the RIMA Community, including RIMA Kōrero (radio talkshow increasing health literacy amongst the RIMA Community), ‘Let’s Talk English’ programme, Translations on Health and Wellbeing materials, Training, and Workshops for both the community and health Professionals.
Febry’s main responsibilities include: - Working collaboratively with the migrant community to develop active partnerships and provide motivation to make positive life changes, reduce risk behaviours, manage stress, and improve health and wellbeing
- Support, guide and navigate people with health needs and / or disabilities within the RIMA (former Refugee, Internally Displaced Persons, Refugee-like Migrant and Asylum Seekers) population to connect with service providers to improve health outcomes
- Collate relevant RIMA population data
- Identify the barriers, challenges and successes that are faced by RIMA
- Work alongside General Practice Teams (GPTs), Matanga Whai Ora and Kaiwhakapuaki Waiora to provide coordination, education, and immediate responses to mental health queries
- Solicit the participation of RIMA with high health needs and / or disabilities and their family / whānau in various aspects of service delivery and planning
- Develop a broader cultural understanding and inclusion through strategic partnership between service providers and RIMA communities
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Febry Suharto
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