Marama Rawenata

Everything below is taken care of by voluntary donations and volunteers. Donation boxes are provided so they our donations can be taken care of discreetly, so no plates or bags are passed around. I'm attending an international convention for three days since Friday. No time before or during the convention. It's full on. 22,000+ in attendance, but everything is so organised. We have over 3,000 volunteers who help with various assignments from providing lifts on carts for the infirm to take them to the seated areas only for the infirm and their caregivers. Attendants who keep the toilets clean throughout the entire day. Attendants that stand at every aisle in case someone needs assistance especially the elderly. Brothers had an assistance area for lost n found, or any broken equipment or bathroom stuff that was required. Creche area that had comfortable seating where they could feed their babies in a private area. Lift attendants. Carpark attendants. Bus captains who were responsible for making sure everyone made it to the bus. Before the convention started - toilets were cleaned, stadium swept, bins at every section and brothers did a walk through to cordon off unsafe areas and make sure the sound systems and TV screens were in place and in their allocated spots. All of this was so well taken care of so that if anything were to happen - they'd make sure everyone moved out safely and making sure they look after one another. There were 3,000 who came over from 20 different countries who were hosted by different congregations here in New Zealand. They were picked up from the airport, provided refreshments when they got off the plane - then taken out for a few hours and dropped at their accommodation whether that was a hotel or one of our houses. So different ones would drive around 5-6 people, they didn't all come on the same day. Our organisation also has an arrangement with multiple hotels and motels that would provide discounts to us and so too with many restaurants.