Category: Challenge

Young Leaders Retreat

10 young leaders attended a two day retreat at the Home of Compassion in Island Bay.
The participants learnt about Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey and how it is a model for the life of every human being. Participants reflected on the courage it takes to “leave home” and cross the threshold into the unknown. They explored what are the hinders and obstacles they meet on the way and how they can get through the challenges of the wilderness by accepting help from the helpers and having an internal compass that will keep them going. They learnt about courage, the abyss and how to achieve their bliss/mission in life.
Participants also learnt about their Myers Briggs profile and were given another model to understand themselves and others. This made a lot of sense to the young leaders, particularly some of the input on career options and how they learn and make decisions.
In between they did a lot of experiential learning activities, had fun on Mt Victoria and even managed a short “dip” in the sea at Island Bay!  All in all it was a great three days topped off by fantastic food! The training was done by Helen Robinson and Kitty McKinley.

Victoria University Open Day

A group of aspiring students from the Porirua colleges travelled into the city to attend the Victoria University Open day.

All of the faculty’s were on show and it was a great opportunity to to see the different courses on offer and to get a taste of University life in the Capital.

The group attended some sample lectures to hear more about different subjects from the lecturers themselves.  They found it quite interesting and were surprised by how different it was to their classrooms and the teaching at their schools.

As well as experiencing sitting through a lecture, there was a lot of entertainment throughout the day. The girls were pretty successful winning lollies by shooting three-pointers after three-pointers in basketball.

 

We all came home with smiles on on our faces and painted Maori tattoos thanks to Te Kawa a Māui – School of Māori Studies.

Street Day Appeal

Please support our work with young people and families.

“Give a little, so WE can give a lot.”

Your help is greatly appreciated!

You can:

  • Collect
  • Donate
  • Tell your friends and whanau
  • Press “Donate Now” on our front page

Contact Megan Ratuki on (04) 477 6827 or email challenge2000@xtra.co.nz if you can help us.

Thank you – EVERY LITTLE BIT COUNTS!

Hawkes Bay Retreats

Some of the team from Challenge 2000 went up to the Hawkes Bay to lead two retreats for young people 16 – 17 years old. The theme for the first retreat was “To Be The Change” and the theme for the second retreat was “Stepping Out In Faith”.

The first retreat focussed on how to make a positive change within their College and community, particularly as these young women will be the leaders in 2017. The day started with a great reflection and scintillating talk on how “one drop in water, joined by other like drops can be a sea of change”. Each tiny drop has the potential to make a great difference to the community. The young women acted out dramas about some great people who were that “one drop within the ocean” – Sir Edmund Hillary, Whina Cooper, Martin Luther King Jr and Mother Teresa. The day ended with a great reflection sheet.

The second retreat consisted of the young people stepping out in faith – what that entails and what it looks like.  People or heros that the young people looked up to were discussed, their qualities and motivation were considered and then each small group presented a drama about these heroes and heroines.  The dramas they did clearly displayed the massive effect their lives had on communities and throughout the world.  A mix of individual inner reflection, group discussion and presentations was really effective for the young people.

A lot of fun, joy, laughter and bonding took place within the days.  The Challenge 2000 staff really appreciated going back and reconnecting with the young people in the Hawkes Bay.  Great moments were shared by all.

Girls Leadership Camp

A group of College female students were selected to attend a Leadership Camp. The purpose of this camp was to provide a positive, fun and developmental experience for our young people.  Upon reflection, it was so much more than that.

Much to the surprise, delight and apprehension of the group, we arrived at Taupo Pack and Pedal to pick up our bikes to begin out mountain biking adventure. We had a slow start as the girls got comfortable with their new set of wheels. Even slower still as the rain set in and a cold southerly swept over the lake challenging us to give up. Three hours later, the entire team had mountain biked their way up a muddy bush track to Huka Falls. Almost everyone fell of their bike at least once along the way, alas, no injury to report and all involved were happily taking selfies to document their great achievement.

There was even more surprise and some delight, accompanied by sheer terror of what was to come when the girls learned that we were going rafting down the Tongariro River. A storm the previous day meant the normally Grade 3 river, had swollen to a Grade 4 and was filled with fallen trees that required some serious navigation. This required quick thinking and solid teamwork. We made it out alive, albeit one hour longer than the the journey usually takes. Regardless, the girls were left feeling empowered about our great feat.

The girls had carefully crafted a playlist at Challenge 2000’s community house before we embarked on our journey three days before. The whole way home, the team was singing along to the likes of Destiny’s Child, Mariah Carey and Drake to celebrate new experiences, new friendships and massive personal growth.
Until the next adventure…………

Celebration of Pa Dave Gledhill’s 50th Jubilee

Challenge 2000 staff and young people gathered together and travelled to Murupara, just out of Rotorua, to celebrate Father (Pa) Dave Gledhills 50th Jubilee as a Catholic Priest. Pa Dave has worked with Maori throughout the North Island and has helped bring many different worlds and cultures together.  He is a Challenge 2000 Kaumatua and has always supported our young people at Challenge 2000.

As Murupara is quite a distant from Wellington, the first night was spent at Kuratau.  The team spent quality time together in Kuratau, reconnecting with each other, understanding the importance of this trip and preparing for the next couple of days.

We travelled through to Taupo where we spent some time at Huka Falls and then continued onto Rotorua. We settled ourselves into our accommodation and went to check out the luge!!!  Great fun had by all!! Many conquered their fears – was great to hear the laughter and see the smiles.

The next morning we left for Murupara and participated in a powhiri to welcome us onto the Marae.  Celebrations then began with an Maori and English mass said by Pa Rawiri.  After the mass, we had a wonderful celebration on the marae with food, drink and speeches.  The speeches were memories and the work that Pa Dave has done for everyone throughout his time as a priest.

Overall, it was a great experience for the staff and young people from Challenge 2000.  Seeing new things, getting away from the city and being together in a whanau environment as a whanau.

Congratulations to Pa Dave Gledhill as he celebrates 50 years as a Catholic Priest and best wishes as he continues serving his community and others.

Wainuiomata High School Under 15 Rugby team

One of our Senior Youth Workers, Oke, another youth worker, Junior and two of our Gaps students – Jared and Dylan have been working with this team.  The young men have gone from strength to strength and have had some great wins!! They have grown in their attitude, commitment, skill levels and as a team of brothers.
A big thank you to the Four Winds Foundation for their generous donation that has enabled us to purchase training tops and rugby balls for the team.
What a season – congratulations to the players, supporters, family, coaches and the College.

Challenge Holiday Antics!!

Another day in beautiful Wellington! I arrived in Johnsonville ready for work and tried to mentally prepare myself for the day.
Nothing could prepare me for what lay ahead!
I checked through my emails, wrote some case notes and checked in with one of the young guys I mentor.
Suddenly Michaela and Jess burst through the door excitedly proclaiming that they were about to go and ride some animals in the Johnsonville Shopping Centre.
“Sorry what?” I said slightly confused.  “We are off to ride motorised stuffed animals in the Johnsonville Shopping Centre, wanna come?”
I thought about it for all of 2 seconds before packing up my work and heading down to the Shopping Centre.
When we got there we were able to choose our steed. Jess chose a grey elephant, mine was a darker elephant with tusks and Michaela chose the cow.
We spent the next 20 minutes racing (too slowly for my liking) round Johnsonville Shopping Centre, much to the delight and confusion of the many of locals.  We started off with a three way race from the entrance of the Shopping Centre around to Countdown and back.
 Michaela and her cow ended up winning with Jess close behind and myself and Nelly (my elephant’s name) coming in last, a wee way back from the pack.  Oh well!
The rest of the time was spent driving around and interacting with the local shoppers.
What a way to spend Monday morning!!!

Absolutely Fabulous – Movie Fundraiser

Sweetie Darlings, Challenge 2000 is holding a movie fundraiser for the upcoming release of our movie Absolutely Fabulous!!

When: Wednesday 10th August 2016

Where: The Penthouse Cinema and Cafe, Brooklyn

Time: 6pm, movie starts at 6:30pm

Cost: $20 with treats

We will also be running a gold coin raffle on the night!!

Contact: Megan for tickets on either 04 477 6827 or meganratuki@challenge2000.org.nz

Home of Compassion Soup Kitchen Street Day Appeal

Today Wellingtonians are out on the streets seeking donations to support the work of the Wellington Soup Kitchen.  The Soup Kitchen run by the Home of Compassion sisters celebrates 115 years of reaching out to and loving those in need.  Every human being needs help at some stage of their lives.  At the moment there are too many people who don’t have food, shelter, warmth, friendship or love.  The sisters, their employees and volunteers and partners in service and compassion, like Challenge 2000, need your help to make a difference to our most vulnerable citizens.

Today our young people (and a few older ones!) were joined by Justin Lester, Deputy Mayor, who braved the cold to support the Soup Kitchen and do his bit! 🙂  Thanks Justin, you’re awesome!