REAP officer

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 477, 16 March 1993, Page 13

REAP officer

BY JAN SAVELL The Rural Education Activities Programme (Inc) (REAP) exists to "plug the gaps" in educational opportunities for rural areas. This means providing assistance that is supplementary and complementary to existing programmes. A key figure in the provision of this service is Eliz Mortland, the community education officer for Ruapehu REAP. Eliz deals primarily with adult education but, as Ruapehu REAP's only full-time employee, she often finds herself providing assistance with school and pre-school requests for help too. Eliz sees her role largely as that of co-or-dinator. She puts groups in touch with individuals who have expertise in a

particular area, or puts individuals in touch with groups that have similar interests. REAP receives information on a staggering variety of projects, activities, programmes and sources of funding. These are held at the REAP office in Taihape where Eliz is based. Eliz's territory stretches almost from National Park to Ohingaiti and includes Raetihi. She regularly visits the Waimarino region and can bring with her any information that is required. REAP's emphasis this year is to get adult education out to the rural population. Eliz is keen to see groups in out-lying areas get together and let REAP know how they can help. Ngamatea will be the first community to benefit from this thrust with a Positive Parenting course scheduled already. Eliz welcomes your enquires because "if REAP can't help there's someone else who can" and Eliz can usually put you in touch with them! The telephone number for the REAP office is Taihape 388-0109.