About us
Back in 2021, Our founder Deborah Russell, was the coordinator for a small women's group at her local salvation army. Her women's group were wanting to do some fundraising, they decided to give their donations to local primary school at Belfast, for school camp fees, as many parents were struggling to pay for them, and kids were missing out on going on camp. This was the start of something bigger for Deborah. This is her story.
All About Me
Kia ora
Firstly, Welcome to Maota Jewellery its a real pleasure to have you here. I want to take you back to 2020 - 2021, when I was the coordinator for a small women's group, that I was run at my local salvation army. We had about 15-20 women that were doing arts and crafts on 1st Wednesday of every month. We were looking to give our yearly Donations away, and my leadership team came up with why not give it to the local primary school. We were also thinking of doing some fundraising to help give more funds to the local primary school here in Belfast.
We had heard that some kids weren't able to go on school camps, because their parents couldn't afford the cost of sending them. This made my heart break as i recall the best times as child was going on our school camps, and learning survival skills, camping and building relationships with peers.
When I heard of this I really wanted to help make a difference in the kids lives. That year we were able to give the school $1000, it didn't go quite where we want it to, but it did pay the Debt of some of the cost that was related to school camps.
We were still looking at fundraising, so i decide that i wanted to help out with this idea, and had a brainwave that maybe i could make some bracelets, and sell them to my women's group. So I went to our local family store and brought a heap of necklaces, and broke them down and started to make a few bracelets. Sold a few, then I thought there got to be a market that i could go to, so i started to go to the Kaiapoi famers market, on a Saturday.
At the time, I signed up as a sole trader, I was calling this business "Deb's Creative Design NZ" of course my jewellery collection began to grew, I was enjoying my new found passion, Believe me I didn't have a clue on how to make jewellery, other than watching some videos on You tube. Later on, I also found out many other things, I could have done differently when creating this business - which wasn't a business at all, but was created solely for fundraising.
Once out at the market, people were warming to my jewellery, and the reason why i was doing it. I also began to understand more what other problems there were for parents when sending the kids to school, the cost of school fees, uniforms, stationary, school devices such as laptops then there is sport on top of that too etc. I knew that working with the salvation army I would hear similar stories of parents unable to afford the basic things for their child education.
I really wanted to find away to help low income families and their kids to thrive in their education, with the high living cost of food, rent and people beginning to lose job, due to the economic down turn it was beginning to put more pressure on them.
So, I had always wanted to start a charitable trust up. So i talked to few people and did a bit research on how to start one, a friend of mine suggested to put up post on Facebook, for anyone who might be interested in helping. so i did and I got few replies, and found someone who was able to write up the deeds.
In March 2022, Mahi Arohanui o Tamariki Aotearoa (MAOTA)Charitable trust was formed. At the time I had two other trustees, we got registered with charities services and got charity status in May 2022. And as they say the rest is history.
We now in 2024, and its been up and down journey, but I wouldn't change it for the learning process has been experience I will never forget.
So here at Maota jewellery we all about is upcycled second-hand jewellery and redesign them in Bohemian / funky jewellery.
We also have a ray of preloved jewellery for you to browse over too.
We have Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, bangles,
We even have kids jewellery, which are manly dress up necklaces, and bracelets for the kids. we do personalized bracelets for the kids too. so get your order in as they go fast.
We also take orders for anything you like us to design for you.
We also do repair jobs, if you have broken an old necklace or a pair earrings that are broke we fix them for a small charge.
Well now its your turn would you please support us in our fundraising effort as we really like to raise as much funds for them, we not government funded. You can click on learn about Maota Trust and it will take you to our big sister.
You can Donate there if your not interested in any of our beautiful jewellery, but you still like to support us.
We value your private details so we protect it with secured payment page. No need to worry here. we got you covered.
We give you full refund if you want to return any of our items, just return them in 30 days from the date of purchase. Money back guarantee. NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
It been lovely meeting you but now, I have to go and make some more Jewellery.
Thanks again
Deborah Russell
Founder, Chairman, Trustee of
Mahi Arohanui o Tamariki Aotearoa (MAOTA)
Charitable Trust CC60435
