Category: Article

ANZAC COMMEMORATION 2015

Service and Sacrifice

We will Remember them

Challenge 2000 facilitated ANZAC themed Masses in the Archdiocese of Wellington at; San Antonio Eastbourne, St Patrick’s Masterton, Ss Peter and Paul Johnsonville, St Anne’s Newtown and the Sacred Heart Cathedral Wellington. 60 Young people – staff, volunteers, Gap students, Wairarapa locals and students from Chanel College, St Patricks School and Carterton, produced moving performances that recognised and remembered those who served and made sacrifices, both overseas and at home during various wars.

One of the key lines from the drama was “when you go home tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today”. The emphasis was also that while remembering is important, it is even more important that we honour them by choosing to live lives of service and sacrifice today.

ANZAC Mass

 

 

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ANZAC fern

Youth Justice Camp 2015

Monday 13th April saw Challenge 2000 depart on a week long Youth Justice Camp. The group included two young men referred from Youth Court, one youth leader and three staff. For our two young men the focus of the camp was to develop self-esteem and explore the big questions ‘who am I? And who do I want to be?’

The camp allowed the young people and staff to challenge and expand their knowledge and awareness of who they are, what they are capable of and their potential. It also allowed for the group to explore new and different parts of New Zealand. Along with this the young people were exposed to a range of pro social activities and exercises including camping, bungee swing, white water rafting, wood work and visiting our National Army Museum in Waiouru. Throughout our camp journey many laughs, stories and memories were created and it was great to watch the two young men explore who they are and who they want to be.

With the experiences and relationships built during camp we look forward to watching the boys continue to grow at Challenge 2000, with their whanau and in their own communities.

 

Lest we Forget

Lest we Forget

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Reflection time after a bush walk

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Gap Year 2015

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The Challenge 2000Marist Gap Year has begun!

This year we have nine wonderful young people who have said ‘YES’ to this Gap Year journey and experience.  This diverse group of young people come from around New Zealand – Nelson to Otaki and even as far as Mexico.
The Gap year participants have been busy in their first few weeks. There has been a mixture of introduction, induction, fun, team building, familiarisation and educational modules on code of conduct, boundaries. As well as just getting to know the who, what, when, why and how.
Four weeks into the year the gap participants are now very much apart of the day to day life of Challenge 2000. They are playing a role in providing support and service to Challenge 2000 , our whanau and wider community.
Gap students have already:
– Helped with Catholic Social Service street day appeal
– Run breakfast clubs in schools
– Been involved in the planning and running of a Children’s Day event
– Planned and been involved in a Challenge 2000 youth mass
– Played sport with young people
– Supported and served in the community through gardening, lawn mowing, house cleaning, and much more!
– Acted in a drama
– Begun their Youth Work Certificates
– Mentored and tutored in Primary Schools and High Schools
– Made posters and painted
– Started placements with various social services and organisations in Wellington
If you would like to know more about how to support the Gap programme or sponsor a participant, then contact Kitty McKinley on (04) 477 6827