+ Michael Smith – team leader / Youth Worker/ Lab Facilitator
To think that we are six months into another year is a little scary. There have been challenges as always such as being asked to move out from the youth space we had finally got running well, however, God has always had a plan and purpose for our work and somehow we find ourselves now based in a youth space (called RYD ‘rec youth development’) better than the last. Another challenge has been getting used to Emma (my wife) doing shift work at Starship, lets just say that’s a work in progress. Living back in Roskill South has been great after moving out for 6 months. We are now living in the attached unit to our new centre RYD, this is both exciting and challenging at the same time. I am also now six months away from graduating with my bachelor in Youth Development. This is going to be such an awesome time- who would of ever though I would get a degree! The development of my role as a team leader continues to be both exciting and challenging. Learning how to empower and sometimes let go of projects is a balancing act. As my role moves more to facilitating and empowering the team, the boys continue to develop projects in our community that are having an amazing effect. Boys Rally is an intermediate aged program they are now running on a Tuesday night that they are running independently while I get the night off. They are empowering our leadership program young people to help as junior leaders. The major challenge ahead is FUNDING. This challenge will never go away but with a step up in commitment to lease a space for our youth centre and increasing John’s hours, tough times are ahead. To start addressing this we have developed our own trust that we can apply for funding from and I am grateful for the new trustee’s who are willingly going to give of their time. I really feel settled in this community now and I am seeing daily signs of God working in the young people and families we engage.
+ John Riki – 2nd year student with Weltec / Lab apprentice
The first half of 2013 has been a challenge since graduating from praxis, I have enrolled on the bachelor of youth development but struggle for motivation so dropped down studying from full time to part time. The degree is something I see myself achieving hopefully in the near future. My youth work practice is so enjoyable at the moment. I am dedicate to my school program and helping with other things like boys rally and sportzlife, and also the new role of managing our new youth space is pushing my abilities in the right direction.
+ Sagele Palaamo – 2nd year student with praxis/ Lab apprentice
The last 6 months have been good we’ve finally got a space in the community that we can base ourselves and together with some of the boys have been able to do. I’ve also been doing study through praxis working towards a diploma in youth work that ill hopefully be able to get at the end of this year. Studying has also been challenging but good being able connect what we are learning to what we are doing in the community of Roskill South and helping me to be more affective and consistent with young people.
+ Cewa Tupou – 1st year student with Praxis/ Lab apprentice
The last six months I have been busy with study and it has been are interesting journey for me at Praxis. Being at praxis has been really good by getting more in-depth faith journey and learning more tools to keep positive relationships going in my youth work practice. Opening up our new space (Rec Youth Development) has gave us better opportunities to connect with young people somewhere comfortable not only to us but them too.
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