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Category: Challenge 2000
Holiday Leadership Programme
During the last school holidays 12 amazing young people from five different Colleges and Youth organisations accepted the Challenge to participate in a Challenge Leadership Programme. This year we remember Kiwis landing at Gallipoli. The leadership focus was on service and sacrifice.
Initially as our base was the Home of Compassion we studied Suzanne Aubert and the leadership model she lived as she supported and served the poor, needy and outcasts of our society. We looked at how challenging it must have been for her to come to Aotearoa New Zealand, learn to understand and work in Te Ao Maori and then to create a Congregation and community who would carry on her work.
We focussed on the importance of courage, trust, communication, getting to know others in your team and looked at the individual strengths and areas of development for each of the participants. Each participant presented and discussed their chosen symbols which represented leadership for them.
We had the privilege of a visit and input from the Acting Chief of Defence, Brigadier Peter Kelly. He spoke of his story and how he got to where he is now. For many, this was the highlight of the training event. Brigadier Kelly talked about the times that he didn’t succeed the first time, but because he had a goal he tried again and the second or third time he succeeded. He also talked to us about the sacrifices that he needed to make, missing significant events while away serving New Zealand in other parts of the world. One of the main things that everyone took from what he said was him saying that he is just a normal human being and that this is what makes us all equal – no-one is higher than others and all deserve respect.
We did some service like supporting Challenge and collecting for the Home of Compassion.
Below is some feedback from participants on the programme:
“I have learnt to focus on what I do have, and what I am able to share rather than worry about what I don’t have.”
“ I am really thinking about how I can develop my leadership skills and make a difference not just staying in my comfort zone and doing what I’m happy doing ”.
“Brigadier Kelly was awesome – I am keen to join the army and serve my country if I can. I think it would be a great career”.
WISE UP Conference
Four members of our staff who are working in Wellington Colleges were able to attend the WISE UP conference in Auckland during the last school holidays. WISE UP, which is an acronym for “Workers In Schools Educate and Unlock Potential”, was a two day event that facilitated seminars and workshops from various professionals around New Zealand, including the Minister of Social Development, Hon. Anne Tolley and other key note speakers. The conference, which was attended by many Social Workers and Youth Workers in schools, was also a great opportunity to network with other organisations and share ideas about ways we can “educate and unlock potential” with our rangatahi in Wellington.
Holiday Programmes – Winter 2015
Day 1 – On a cold but great Wellington day, fourteen 5 to 9 year olds braved the weather and attended a great holiday programme. We started the day with games and then went onto some great art activities, designing police badges which they would wear to the police museum that we visited later in the day.
The Police museum was great and we had so much fun, solving murders and finding out about the history of the New Zealand police. We then went out to Aotea Lagoon to have a play and some lunch. We ended the day at Battle hill, playing a game of soccer. All in all it was great day of fun, adventure and new friends made.
Day 2- our young people aged between 14-18 year old went out to Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua. After setting ground rules, doing ice breakers and discovering the different strengths of the group (and making sure everyone could swim!!) we headed out to the pool. Great fun was had by all especially in the never ending river and the wave pool. After the swim, we drove to Eastbourne and went on a bush walk. This was a great experience for some of the young people who had never been to Eastbourne before.
Day 3 – We facilitated sports games such as basketball, futsal, ultimate frisbee and even some intense (but basic) cross-fit exercises at ASB stadium.
We were treated to some delicious bacon-hock soup provided by staff member Oke Time and his lovely wife, Liza Time. The young people really enjoyed the day and have asked for more events to be run during the break. We’ll see how well the staff recover from this one!
A huge thank you to the volunteers who came and supported us on these holiday programmes, who made lunches and provided baking for us all to enjoy. A big thank you also to Pelorus Trust for a grant that enabled us to provide the holiday programme, giving the young people opportunities to connect with other young people within the local community, develop new friendships and participate in a variety of recreational and developmental activities.
Tomorrow’s Dream – Manawa Ora O Apopo
Challenge 2000 held a Youth Week event on Friday 5th June 2015 at the Johnsonville Community Centre. This event was called Tomorrow’s Dream – Manawa Ora O Apopo and was facilitated by our Youth Committee. Around 20 young people from around the Greater Wellington region attended. Four workshops were held – Communication, Choices, Vision Stepping Stones and a final workshop entitled “Tomorrow’s Dream”. These workshops were designed for the young people to reflect and make connections with like-minded young people who also have a dream for a better society. This event was an opportunity for young people to have a safe space to reflect on strengths and issues within their communities, what they would like their future to look like and their role as a young person in creating that future. The event was a great success.
Timaru – Say NO to Bullying
Over two days we had the opportunity to spend some time with students at Roncalli College in Timaru delivering the message about anti-bullying. We worked alongside Joy Syliva (Challenge 2000 Social Worker, LSV Burnham) to deliver workshops to help the young people explore what bullying is, the roles they play and what they can do to prevent it in their schools and communities. All the students were full of energy and willing to give everything a go.
One highlight was definitely the three dramas. These were prepared by the team to help get the message across. They were real and really hit home the message about anti-bullying.
The cold was definitely a challenge and a Warehouse run was in order to gather more warm gear but we all really enjoyed the experience and challenge in Timaru.
Here is what some of the team had to say about their experience at Roncalli College:
“Timaru was a great experience. Being able to educate the Year 10 and 11 students on some of the effects of bullying and seeing how some of them wanted to help fix it was great. But the trip was most memorable for the growth shown in all 4 GAP students and how they did very well either facilitating or co-facilitating their groups.”
“It was an amazing experience where everyone got involved and managed to grow not only as a team but also as individuals. It was a good experience to work in a part of New Zealand I hadn’t worked in before.”
“The anti-bullying workshops were really insightful for me to find out that there’s really a big need for education and awareness of what bullying is and how to prevent it for school especially.”
“It was an amazing experience, the mountains, the sea, even just watching the twilight at the end of the day was something amazing. Challenge 2000 gave us the opportunity of our life, but the thing that makes these experience was the company of the people.”
“It was an awesome opportunity and experience. It really helped me to become aware of bullying and the ways we can help prevent it.”
Team Timaru
Timaru – Say No To Bullying
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.
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
Reflection time after a bush walk
Gap Year Students Honour the ANZACs
T
oday a group of Gap Year Students attended the Australian Memorial Dedication at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park with Kitty McKinley.
The Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key and the Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott attended with other special guests such as “Willie” Apiata VC, Members of 
Parliament and also Service men and women. The service started with the march on, of both the New Zealand and Australian Defence Forces, a moving beginning to the ceremony, followed by the welcome. John Key and Tony Abbott both spoke very well and gave their own meaning on the special friendship we share with Australia, as allies in war – mentioning that this friendship doesn’t always extend to the sports field!
The main message that we received from the two prime ministers is our countries are old friends. When push comes to shove, no matter what the score was in the rugby test the week before, we will always have each other’s back, no matter how much banter we throw at each other.
The memorial was beautiful, a fitting piece to remember the soldiers of Australia who also laid their lives on the line for us, the future generations. The ceremony then continued on with a blessing and a prayer to protect the memorial and officially open it. Overall the experience was amazing, it wasa privilege to stand side by side with our fellow Australians physically and spiritually to remember those who have gone before us.
“oh! You who sleep in Flanders Fields,
Sleep sweet – to rise anew!
We caught the torch you threw
And holding high, we keep the Faith
With All who died.”
We can say thank you to the fallen soldiers “For giving their tomorrow for our today”. With our hearts and arms open we hold the torch of light and justice for this world to be a better place. Gap Students 2015
After the Australian Memorial Dedication service we headed down to Te Papa and waited in line for over 45 minutes to explore the new exhibition called GALLIPOLI The Scale Of Our War. It was great that so many people are going to see this.
We did this to increase our understanding of what the ANZACs went through, and to develop an awareness of how we are the beneficiaries of their service and sacrifice 100 years later.
Inside the exhibition there were things such as models that are the size of two humans made at the Weta Caves. There were 6 models which all had a different part to play in the war, as we got to each model there was a recorder speaking their stories and experiences they had faced. There was an electronic diagram that reenacted what weapons had the most affect on their bodies and you could see what weapon was more powerful. We got a small sense of what war was like
And had lots of different feelings, thoughts and questions.
As we carried on through the exhibition we walked through a recreated trench, we could feel
and hear the vibrations of the bombs and guns. There were also windows that had videos playing showing different soldiers experiences inside the trenches. These were our ancestors, family members…a lot to think about!
At the end there was another model of a solider who had survived the war. He was kneeling and had his hand on his heart. You were able to write a message on a red poppy and you were able to keep it or place it on the statue. This was very touching for all of us, as most of us have ancestors that took part in the war. This has got us thinking about how we would have reacted if we were forced or volunteered to go to war or to say goodbye to the people we love.
They gave up their today for our tomorrow.
Movie Fundraiser
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