Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Oct 11/00) - Good things come to those who wait and work. After three long years of determination, the Ajajaa Pairivik (Day Care) opened its doors in Rankin Inlet last week.

Tara Fotheringham is one of six board members for the day care.

She says while it was frustrating waiting for the renovations to be completed at the Area 6 building, it's a good feeling now that Rankin's second day care is open for business.

The day care has 17 spots available for children -- which have all been taken -- and a four-person staff.

The staff is comprised of manager Kathryn Massan, elder Hannah Benoit, who teaches the kids Inuit language and culture, and care-givers Helen Tagalik and Nauya Aukoat.

One more staff member will be in place by month's end.

"Response from the community has been very good," says Fotheringham.

"We just came back from a Nunavut-wide child-care forum where we heard more of an emphasis is wanted on Inuktitut at the day-care level.

"That felt good because we had already announced that our programs are conducted in an Inuktitut environment.

Massan says the day care, which is open Monday to Friday, caters to kids ranging in age from six months to five years. She says the first week can best be described as extremely busy, adding there are many people responsible for the day care's opening.

"I've had a lot of support from my board (Fotheringham, Kim and Ann Makpah, Juanita Taylor, Naanasee Onalik and Gwen Thirlwall), they've been absolutely wonderful.

"We also owe a big thank you to Neco Towtongie, Ben Porter, Amarook Enterprises, KP&H and Brian Fotheringham.

"For many of these kids, last week was their first time to be in day care, so saying goodbye to mom and dad was a little rough at first.

"But, as time's going by, there's been a few less tears in the morning and everything's coming together well."