Tag: GAP

Gap Year

September 2010

Kevin

Kevin

Hi, my name is Kevin and I’m one of the eight young people on a GAP year at Challenge 2000 this year. During the week I spend three days doing tutoring and doing recreation at Challenge College. I enjoy it because I have been able to help the students with work that they struggle with. I have also enjoyed it by being able to attend their field trips and it has opened my eyes to a whole new way of seeing things. But the best part of helping at the College is all the new people that I have gotten to know there, whether it is staff or students. It’s good to be doing something that helps other people and also teaches me something.

Kirsty

Kirsty

Hello, my name is Kirsty and I moved down from Auckland this year to participate in the Challenge GAP programme. One of the many things that I do is support the young people at the Newlands Community Centre drop-in/opt-in programmes after school from 3-5pm. We try to provide a positive, energetic environment in which the local youth of the community can enjoy opt-in options such as drama, sports or art days or just chill out playing table tennis, basketball or touch instead of hanging around bored or causing trouble at the local shops. The youth get to form many friendships and develop themselves in a safe environment. I enjoy seeing the youth all interact with each other and take pride in being part of the local community. I’m also doing a Youth Work Certificate and its great to see the Youth Development Strategy stuff actually working in practice.

Hutana

Hutana

Kia ora, my name is Hutana and I am an ex Rongotai College man. As part of the GAP year myself and two other GAP participants are going to the Phillipines for our month long placement. During my visit to the Philippines I expect that my preconceived notions of how the world works and how things will be there, will be greatly challenged by what I see and experience. On our itinerary is a trip to a local mental hospital, and I have no doubt that this, among other things, will be a hugely harrowing experience for all of us. As well as this, however, I expect that it will be a journey of self discovery and development for us all. Watch this space in October – I can say more then.

Another busy start to the year

This year has been busy and is flying by so quickly. We at Challenge 2000 are kept busy with running Individual programmes, Challenge College, Newlands Community Centre, youth group and other youth programmes, overnight camps, staff training, farewells and welcome-parties! In between staff have snatched some time to continue planning and goal setting for the rest of 2010.
We have a wonderful team of passionate, experienced and qualified youth, and social and community work staff, who are geared up to provide a variety of innovative, and holistic programmes for the young people and families who access our services.

We now have a new manager for our Youth and Family Centre. Congratulations, and welcome to your new role Tina.

Along with this, Challenge has gone through some structural changes. Bridget Roche has responsibility for operational management of Challenge while Kitty remains Challenge 2000’s leader and will continue to supervise the GAP programme, special projects, ministry and development, build partnerships with corporates and government and mentor senior staff.