Huge Donation For Papatoetoe Centre

Sukhdev Singh Hundal donates $50,000 to back a community facility for Papatoetoe

Mr Sukhdev Singh Hundal, a resident of Papatoetoe for the last about twenty years has donated a sum of $50,000 (fifty thousand dollars) to help turn the old building on Shirley Road that used to house Cloud Nine factory and showroom, into a community centre catering to the needs of the local community around Papatoetoe, Mangere and Manurewa.

The centre is being set up through the initiative of some local civic minded people who feel the changing needs of Manukau residents need a sort of facility that does not exist currently. The proposed centre has been named Five Rivers Community Centre and shall house an interfaith cafe, classrooms for homework support, short courses in english language and computer literacy, an event hire area and two retail shops (income from which will subsidize activities of the Centre).

"My daughter is studying in the university while my son is in Papatoetoe school. The problems faced by them when they moved to New Zealand from India prompted me to support the proposed centre and help strengthen New Zealand society through tackling issues faced by our youth and the elderly."

Mr Verpal Singh, project head, says that the donation from Mr Hundal is a godsend as it puts the project on sound financial footing. He further said that their target audience is mainly youth and the elderly but people of all ages are invited to use the facility when ready. "We invite community organisations to visit the site and give their feedback and possible inputs about what all they will like to see catered to at the facility. Mr Hundal has kindly agreed to act as our liaison with other organisations and the community at large. He may be contacted on 0276160080."

It may also be mentioned that Mr Sukhdev Singh Hundal is a candidate for Papatoetoe Local Board in the ongoing local body elections.

ends

© Scoop Media