Page 10 - Southwell School Chronicle December 2018

THE CHRONICLE
SOUTHWELL FAMILIES
ALBERT POUWELS AND KAREN BOYER:
A SPECIAL COUPLE OPENING
OTHEIR HOME AND HEARTS
ver the past 25 years, Albert Pouwels and Karen Boyer have opened their home, and their hearts, to nearly 60 children. After being told
there was no chance of them having children themselves, they consider themselves incredibly blessed to have been given the opportunity to be parents to these children. While some of the children they have parented remain in their care for only a short time, Albert and Karen feel privileged to have been entrusted with the long-term care of a number of children. Regardless of the length of time children are in their home, all have been provided a loving and safe environment.
Albert, a Morrinsville dairy farmer, and Karen, a dental therapist, have received great joy and ful llment from being able to have these children as a part of their lives.
When the decision had to be made about education, their extremely strong Christian faith meant they wanted a school for their children that shared their beliefs and values. Through a collective effort by Albert and Karen, social workers and Southwell School, they were able to have seven children educated at Southwell.
Like other parents, they wanted the best for their children and felt that Southwell was able
to cater to the wide range of different needs of the children in their family.
Seventeen years later the couple have many cherished memories of their children’s time here at Southwell. Albert and Karen have also bene ted from being a part of the Southwell community. They both treasure the
friendships they have made and they are grateful for the support they, and their children, have received from teachers and management.
Collectively the seven children have been on 43 school camps! The family have made over 8,000 school lunches and all seven of the children have been proud members of Lincoln House.
Many of the children have had a love of sport, so weekends were invariably taken up with rugby, cricket, softball, football and hockey. Either Karen or Albert could always be seen on the
sidelines, supporting their children and their teams.
Albert and Karen have been involved in all spheres of school life, including Operas and Chapel life and, Karen has also spent countless hours assisting our librarians to keep our books in good repair.
Karen and Albert have contributed so much to our community and
will be long remembered for their humbleness, generosity, loyalty and support of Southwell School.
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