Toia mai te waka nei, kumea mai te waka nei!

13/11/201219/05/2017

An exciting programme has commenced this term for our weekly Challenge 2000 sports group in partnership with Sam Te Kira from the Tuakana Mentoring program, Rangataua Mauri Ora.

Every Thursday Challenge 2000 youth workers take a group of rangatahi to Porirua Harbour to do ‘waka ama’. A Polynesian wide canoe outrigger sport that is very popular in the Greater Wellington region.

The waka has been accessed with the support by Sam to enable the rangatahi that Challenge 2000 support to experience a sporting activity that will link them to ‘Tangaroa’. It’s an opportunity for rangatahi to learn more about team work, technique, fitness, water safety and the competitive side of waka ama.

Jacob Wilkins-Hodges, a member of the Porirua Canoe Kayak Club, shared his knowledge in technique, how to hold a paddle, body positioning, safety, how to enter a waka, how to load a waka into the water and how important team work is in the waka in regards to timing. He also emphasised how enjoyable the sport can be, how to make the waka go fast – which I think is what the rangatahi enjoy the most. The programme is mentored by Tina Wilkins who has experience in waka ama since 1993.

“Waka ama is a great sport for rangatahi to participate in and if they can compete at a national or even an international level. There is loads of talent in our rangatahi, for some they have not experienced paddling on the water before, so getting into a waka can be very challenging, but the experience builds esteem, mana and knowledge. I’ve seen rangatahi participate in this sport at all levels. It is positive, the transformation from land to water is fantastic and the experience forever lasting, I am thankful to Sam Te Kira for the use of a waka that costs around $10,000.00. One day my dream is for Challenge 2000 to have their own waka and resources, but for now we are supported by Sam, Aniuwaru Waka Ama Roopu Inc and Porirua Canoe Kayak Club”.

Youth Mass

12/11/201219/05/2017

A big thank you to everyone who helped out at the special Jville Youth Mass to farewell Sr Josepha from Ss Peter and Paul’s parish Johnsonville. People came from all over the Wellington region (and Whanganui!) to honour Sr Josepha who has served the parish and community whole heartedly for so many years. Her work within and beyond our parish is inspiring! Sr Josepha has always supported Challenge 2000 and has done so much behind the scenes that made all the difference. At the Mass it was commonly mentioned that her home was always open to whoever, whenever and that she was always willing to garden or bake!

Sister Josepha (far right) with family

It was Challenge’s privilege to be able to put on the farewell Mass. The singing, reading, drama, hospitality and haka came together to make an incredible tribute for an incredible woman. The occasion brought people from all over together to give generously back to Sr Josepha; whether that was through baking for morning tea, singing and playing music, acting or giving a helping hand where needed. It definitely proved that many hands make light work! A special thank you to Fr Peter and to all who made this so special. We had some wonderful feedback from those who enjoyed the occasion.

Fun Children’s Day!

12/11/201219/05/2017

On Sunday the 28^th of October, Challenge hosted an afternoon of fun and games for the children of our friends and whanau. Two of our Youth Volunteer Leaders got the barbecue going in trying windy conditions as all the little ones squeezed into the front room to play a few games.

After karakia in Spanish, Maori and English we shared lunch together. Then the Games continued: the younger children kept on playing; pin the tail on the donkey, egg and spoon race, duck, duck goose, fruit salad and more. Duck, duck goose proved to be a timeless favourite no matter how old you are!

Although the weather was less than ideal everyone still made the most of it. It is so great to be able to put something on for the children and parents in our community. It was awesome to welcome our Colombian families from Porirua as well as our nearby Johnsonville families and friends.

It was a great whanau day…thanks to all who helped and made it such a success.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOREY

12/11/201219/05/2017

We want to wish Korey a VERY

Happy Birthday today!!!!

Love from your Challenge Whanau xx

Sports Holiday Programme

26/10/201219/05/2017

On a beautiful sunny day in the second week of the school holidays a sports Holiday programme was offered for our energetic young people. The action packed day attracted a variety of young people from all over Wellington who came together to make the most of both the holidays and the fantastic weather.

The day began down at Johnsonville Community centre where we competed against each other in a series of fun games such as magazine hockey, bang, jockeys up and fruit salad – so that everyone could get to know each other and bond- with some friendly competition of course!

While everyone was enjoying the games and activities many hands were hard at work preparing a BBQ lunch back at Challenge. With the sun out and the feast prepared everyone used the time to relax, get some sun, eat, and enjoy the good company.

Refreshed and with full stomachs we filled the cars and the vans and made our way to ASB sporting arena for a game of ki-o-rahi. Ki-o-rahi is a traditional Maori game a mix between rugby, touch and handball.

This was for many a new experience but was quickly picked up as the stakes were raised and a small tournament was started. With the title on the line some great team work and skills were displayed by all of the teams.

With the final whistle blown for ki-o-rahi the action packed day came to a close and everyone headed home taking with them some great memories and new friends.

Challenge Holiday Programme

11/10/201219/05/2017

These holidays we have had all sorts of activities on around Porirua and Wellington and fortunately the weather has been absolutely positively fantastic!!

Working out some puzzles!

The days have included activities like dodge ball, ki o rahi at the ASB Sports Centre, swimming at Keith Spry, clearing sections in Thorndon to help other people, having input on health and wellness, visiting up the Coast and having meetings with some families.

As always finishing off with karakia, a BBQ and a shared meal has been a great end to the holiday programmes. Check out the photos below!

Remember to find out more about our Christmas Holiday Programmes so that you can be involved! Don’t miss out!!

Relaxing and having lunch!

Smile for the camera! What a glorious day

Warming up for the competition!

The competition was fierce!!

Thank You

11/10/201219/05/2017

… to the elderly Johnsonville man who came out of the cold and windy weather, climbed the stairs and gave us $150 for fresh vegetables and meat for a family with 3 children; to a member of the Magistrates Fraternity who provided a cheque to buy nappies, warm clothes and a contribution to a family’s power bill; to our supporters and many volunteers who give and give and turn up in good times and hard times; to staff who have been going the extra mile and working hard over the holidays with the young people who don’t have the safety net of school …

Graffiti Project in Newlands

11/10/201219/05/2017

Check out this link to the Independent Herald (page 2)….Challenge 2000 were involved in this exciting project in Newlands! We really do have some budding artists among us!!

http://issuu.com/the.star/docs/212179ih

While we are on the topic of graffiti…..

Can Control

Challenge 2000 has been working in partnership with BGI and Wellington City Council to support young people to use their creativity and artistic skills to design and then paint a mural in Johnsonville. This is a big project that involves the young people learning how to successfully work on a project from start to finish and to use their skills to make our suburb look alive and vibrant! We are hoping that this project will be completed in November when you will be able to admire their artistic talents around the streets of Johnsonville!

Life Skills Group

18/09/201219/05/2017

Visit to the Compassion Centre

During Social Justice Week our Life Skill’s group went on a trip to see some social justice in action. A number of young people with a couple of Challenge staff were welcomed in to the Soup Kitchen by the friendly staff. We had a tour of the Tory St building. The massive fridge and pantry were full of donations from all over the city. Later the group sat down to have a discussion. We talked about who visits the Centre for meals and why they come. The staff shared a story of a regular dinner guest. It became clear to the group that people get put in situations where they don’t always have choices. We all counted ourselves very lucky to have the freedom to make everyday decisions.

Over all, the visit was a great learning experience. It is awesome to see people doing their bit to help others. A big thanks to the team at the Compassion Centre for having us!

Check out their Facebook http://www.facebook.com/SoupKitchenWellington and brand new website http://www.soupkitchen.org.nz/

Quiz Night 2012

13/08/201219/05/2017

Many thanks for your support for our 2012 Quiz Night. Check out the photos.

A huge thank you to all who so generously donated their goods, time and services to the successful running of our annual quiz night. It was the best quiz night ever.

Thanks to all who came along and made it such a fun night.

Special thanks also to the RSA for hosting us. Many team members took the opportunity to eat at the RSA restaurant before kick-off.