Month: December 2016

Meri Kirihimete from Challenge 2000

The staff at Challenge 2000 wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a restful New Year!!

Lots and lots of gratitude to all the people who have supported our work.  Without your generous donations, voluntary hours, positive messages, awhi, prayers, wisdom, expertise and many different kindnesses we could not do what we do.  For all the people we have worked alongside – it has been a real privilege and together we have learnt lots and grown much.

Christmas is a time that brings out the best in people.  We naturally seek to share what we have and make an effort to improve the lives of others.  It can also be a time of real stress and pressure when obstacles seem to become insurmountable and relationships fracture and crack.

Please, everyone, look after yourselfs and each other.   Be safe. Be positive. Choose to do the right thing as if the person you most admire is standing right behind you.

Drive carefully, think clearly and love generously!

St. Benedict’s Retreat

In November, Year 7 students of St Benedict’s had a retreat day facilitated by Challenge 2000, in preparation for their role as leaders in 2017.

 

The day with a prayer and a song about social justice, before warming up with icebreakers. The theme of leadership was exp[lored, and the Challenge staff talked about people who are leaders in their lives. The students then broke up into small groups to brainstorm about what it means to be a leader, and what makes Jesus the model leader. The major themes of service, care and compassion came through strongly.

 

The students then had an opportunity to put this theory into practice with team activities, and we all quickly realised that this stuff is easier said than done! Communication was seen to be the key, and listening as one of the key components to this!  After a full-on day of discussion and activities we wound down with a reflection exercise and a liturgy, and we referred to the fact that “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate [but] that we are powerful beyond measure”.

The students left inspired and energised to lead their school in a compassionate and considered Christian way in the year ahead. We look forward to watching their progress and success!

 

Being a Year 12 student, I’ve had my fair share of retreats, many being run by Challenge 2000.  To help out at the St Benedict’s transition day, as part of an amazing Challenge team, was awesome.  It gave me the opportunity to be on the other side of my usual position in retreats.  Instead of being a keen student to learn, I had to be a keen “teacher” to the Year 7s, and help them to become the best leaders they can possibly be!

Throughout the day, the Year 7s were able to find out more about themselves, what is needed to work better as a team, and, ultimately, what is needed to become better leaders.  Different activities stretched their minds, forcing them to think as leaders in what they did and what they could have done to have smoother experiences in each activity.

As a student who has experienced these activities in the past, it was amazing to see how these Year 7s mirror so much of what I would have been like when I was a Year 7 (a bit frustrated at times, but always keen for activities and challenges), and it was my privilege to be in a position to help shape each of the student’s characters.  It was awesome to see the Year 7s grow and learn so much by the end of the day, and I am excited to see what they become in the future.

Ren-C Tamayo

Youth Together – Ngatahi fakataha Tupu

60 young people, youth volunteers and Challenge staff and whanau were involved in the Johnsonville Christmas Parade.

Designing, building, painting, decorating and working out plans together drew the whanau together.

The actual day of the Parade – the sun shone, the whanau sang, the children waved and smiled, the crowds waved, the flag bearers marched, the rangitahi distributed lollies, bubbles were blown and all the hard mahi was celebrated.

A great occasion and lots of fun!!!!!

Visit by Fr Larry Duffy from the Society of Mary

Father Larry Duffy, an Irish Marist, based in Rome on the Society of Mary International Leadership team visited Challenge 2000 this week.

After a powhiri and hakari he met with staff to hear about how things are for young people in Aotearoa New Zealand today and how Challenge 2000 meets the needs of our young people and their families.

 

Later in the day, Father Larry visited the Marist Challenge Youth houses and heard about this partnership and how it has changed lives.  There was a strong spirit of hospitality, generosity, simplicity, mission, love and service.

Jacob and Chris shared their reflections on their connection with the Marists and Te Po, Heath, Daniel, Kirsty, Nicole, Therese, John, Keeley and others spoke of the growth and achievement in their lives.

A great night and BBQ!