She has developed unique wellness programmes for the workforce, hospitals and schools (me), a finalist in the 2007 NZ Health Innovation Awards.

Deborah has a professional background in teaching and has successfully operated her own businesses in speech and drama, media and presentation training and dance.

She is a dynamic presenter and has addressed congresses throughout the world.  She is well published and co-authored several books.

ENZ was awarded the Commonwealth Award for Excellence in Women’s Health and Deborah has been recipient of the Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) and the Paul Newman Award.

Endometriosis affects at least 1 in 10 women and girls.  If you’re interested in growing your business through leveraging opportunities, contact Deborah.

Vist Endometriosis New Zealand Website www.nzendo.co.nz

Endometriosis (pronounced ‘end-oh-me-tree-oh-sis’) is a common disease affecting one in ten New Zealand women and girls. It occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) is found in places outside the uterus where it shouldn’t be.

Symptoms include pain, diarrhoea with a period, bloating, painful intercourse, lower back pain, tiredness, low energy, mood disturbances and bladder pain.

Endometriosis New Zealand (ENZ) represents the tens of thousands who have the condition and those who treat it in New Zealand.

The Big Hug is about you, your partner, your wife, your friend, your sister, your daughter, mother or grandmother. The Big Hug is about your colleague, your student and your patients and it may even be about the teenage girls next door.

The Big Hug is about embracing all women and girls and creating a voice to speak out.  The Big Hug is about embracing and supporting ENZ, the organisation that represents them and The Big Hug is about a big hug, cos that’s sometimes all you need.

THE BIG HUG is now on Facebook. Keep in the loop, get involved and JOIN NOW!

All funds raised from The Big Hug Auction 2010 will go to Endometriosis New Zealand to support the services and programmes they provide, such as Workforce Issue Solutions for Endometriosis (WISE), the award winning ‘me’ programme in schools, Patient Partnering in hospitals, support groups and information resources.

www.nzendo.co.nz

We have some top entertainment lined up, a celebrity MC, live band awesome Auction Items including an ACDC signed Fender Guitar, holiday homes, Russian vodka, artwork etc

Also TVNZ’s 60 Minutes will be filming the event.

Don’t miss out on all this plus supporting your favourite charity for just $65 per head or $120 per couple.

Tickets available from 07 5444 200.
Payment can be made by cheque, online banking or via our website

www.livinghope.org.nz

Ticket – Dinner & Auction 2010 NZD 65.00
Start Time:     Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 6:00pm
End Time:       Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 1:00am
Location:        Alexandra Park Function Centre, Auckland

At Venus we are passionate about supporting women whether they have a not for profit or a business. Each Venus Club has one sponsored membership available to support women in the not for profit sector. Rachael rencently joined the Tauranga Harbourside Club representing Living Hope.

The streets of Vladivostok, Russia, are home to countless numbers of children. In 1998, one woman set out to change this.
New Zealander Rachael Hughes’ efforts began what is now known as Living Hope, a charitable organisation that helps give the street children of Vladivostok, the life they deserve.

Through Living Hope, children are fed, clothed, encouraged, educated and given the ability to see their potential.
Facilities and funds are scarce. Yet Living Hope’s Day Centre, and holiday camps are making a huge difference.

Thanks to the efforts of Rachael Hughes and her dedicated team in Vladivostok, hope now exists where once there was none…

The catalyst for Living Hope was a child pickpocket and a single meal. In 1997, whilst on her way to take up a post teaching English in Russia, New Zealander Rachael Hughes felt a hand reach for her purse and turned to confront the person. Instead she looked down at the face of a homeless child.

She had witnessed countless scared, hungry children begging on the streets of Vladivostok, so was moved to buy this child a meal. Seeing the way he devoured the food with an expression of shame made such an impression on Rachael that the next day she returned to the streets handing out fruit and sandwiches. Within a month she was feeding thirty children up to 3 times a week.

As knowledge of her work grew, more and more caring individuals came on board. People from local churches volunteered their time, money, food and facilities. And for the first time, many children knew they would receive regular food, clothing and love.

In 1999, the Vladivostok Homeless Children’s Rehabilitation Society, Living Hope, was registered as a charitable organisation. Being officially recognised was the first step in making a real difference. With a Board of Administration, eight full-time Russian staff as well as local and overseas volunteers, Living Hope continues to meet an ever-increasing number of children in need of a new beginning.

Learn more about Living Hope

Get Involved

Read about the Projects Living Hope are involved in

Check out Rachael’s Blog

Contact Rachael and Living Hope

FIND OUT about Living Hope’s Annual Charity Fundraiser

Anna, Marco & Sophia receive a new home in Mexico!

Thank you Venus Club members for giving Anna (20), Marco (23) & Sophia (2) a new stove and cooking implements from money raised by buying toilet paper through our Wipe Poverty Away Campaign!

The 2009 Break Free Expeditions team set a new record for house building putting up a new home for Anna, Marco and baby Sophia in the southern slums of Tijuana in just six and a half hours!

The family were living in a 6ft by 9ft shack made out of old pallets nailed together, and bits and pieces of tarpaulin.

By the end of day one of building, the family had moved into their new home!

Interior plastering and painting were completed on days two and three.
2 year old Sophia loved it and had a great day shopping with her mum and us to pick out furniture for their home.

Thanks so much for helping us help this family by providing money for the fitout.

With a special Sponge Bob mural designed by one of our volunteers  from Tauranga (Kerri Tilby) painted on Sophia’s bedroom wall.

Registrations for our 2010 trip are open now at www.breakfreeexpeditions.com – and we already have a couple of Venus Club members and their kids signed up to come!

If you need more toilet paper ($60 per box for 48 rolls with the $25 profit going straight to the building fund) please email Diana at info@breakfreeexpeditions.com