YWiSS – Youth Workers in Secondary Schools
Challenge 2000 has youth workers at Mana, Porirua, Naenae and Taita Colleges. The aim of this service is to improve engagement and achievement in mainstream education for year 9 and 10 students who are at risk of disengaging from their education journey and school community. Our youth workers are focused on working with students to improve motivation, provide encouragement, set realistic and achievable goals, support participation and learning within the school environment and improve their overall well-being.

Desiree Harawira

Dawn Tararo

Kauri Brown

Sarah Boniface

Viv Campbell

Melisha Isa’ako

Dawn Tararo
Kia ora, Sabaidee.
My name is Dawn Tararo, I have joined the MASSISS team at Challenge 2000 and I will be based at Porirua College as the Social Worker. I am of Laos descent, a small country in South East Asia. I was born in a refugee camp in Thailand. My whānau and I moved to New Zealand in 1991. My husband and our three daughters live in Porirua East and have been there since. We are Porirua proud!
Between having our daughters, I have been in Social services for over 8 years in different NGO’s. I take pride in any mahi that I undertake. I am still as passionate as I was when I decided to study Social Work in 2013.
I am a people person and I love a good chat! I am easy-going (sometimes the odd blonde moments) which allows me to connect and build relationships with people from all walks of life. I enjoy spending quality time with my whānau.
I look forward to supporting our rangatahi at Porirua College to guide them to be the best version of themselves. I am excited to become a part of the Challenge 2000 whānau.
“poipoia te kākano kia puāwai”
“nurture the seed and it will bloom”
Khop Jai.
Kauri Brown
Kia Ora, My name is Kauri Brown I'm Maori & Tongan and I'm a youth worker here at Challenge 2000.
Most of my mahi is in High school doing one on one mentoring with our Rangatahi. It's something that I am extremely passionate about and grateful to have this opportunity.
I come alongside our young people to show that there is someone who believes in them which is a great blessing to my life as I see a lot of myself in the rangatahi coming from the same background.
Malo Auptio

Sarah Boniface
Youth Worker

Viv Campbell
Youth Services Manager
Kia ora. I am originally from Taranaki o Ngati Ruanui me Te Atiawa and currently living in Wellington.
I am hugely appreciative to be part of the Challenge 2000 whanau and count it a massive privilege to be part of team that is passionate about enhancing peoples’ lives for the greater good.

Melisha Isa’ako
Social Worker
Talofa lava, Kia Ora! My name is Melisha Isa'ako.
I'm stoked to join the Challenge whanau as one of the MASSiSS social workers based at Taita College.
My move to Challenge at the beginning of 2022 was an opportunity I couldn't resist and upon reflecting on past experiences in leading youth development programmes, holiday programmes, youth ministry and working as a social worker in the health sector for a number of years - it was time for me to fully emerge myself where our rangatahi are at... in college!
Since being based at Taita no day is the same and I'm loving it!
I'm honoured to share space with our young people and I'm grateful to be part of their journey in whatever capacity they allow me to.
Here's to more spaces for our young people to thrive, be seen and heard!
Ia manuia!Naenae College & Taita College
Anh-Dao Pham
anhdao@challenge2000.org.nz
mana college & porirua college
Jeff Reuelu-Smith
jeffreuelusmith@challenge2000.org.nz