Speaker: Kepa, Youth Mentor, Community Link Trust
Kepa: Kia ora koutou, I'm Keps and I'm a Youth Mentor at Community Link Trust
How does Community Link Trust show love to others?
Kepa: So I love how when you walk through these doors that there's no wall, that it's inviting. I love the mahi that we do here, that we're giving back to the community and helping our community feel loved and welcome. Without no pressure, I feel comfortable to be vulnerable, which has allowed me to be, a focal point for those who choose to be vulnerable in this space. It's just an amazing space to work in. It allows me to do the mahi that I do best, in the best possible way that I can.
How do you personally show love to others in your role?
Kepa: My passion is working with our rangatahi (youth) and when society, you know, condemns them because they're "hood rats", I try to encourage them, I guess you could say to show those people that they're not real hood rats, that they can be successful and also prove to themselves that they they can do it. You know, when everybody else sees nothing but darkness, I can only see them, but no judgement, just the kid that they wanna be. When they can't see it, I can. So I try and help them nurture that. And that's how I show love to our rangatahi.
Where have you seen transformation taking place?
Kepa: OK, so one transformation that I've noticed since, you know, working with some of our rangatahi is, one of our boys that came into our programme last year, halfway through last year He came in and he was rough as nails. He's a tiny little thing no bigger than my leg. But he was rough. His mouth was filthy, he had blanket disregard for, people in terms of respect and the rules. So two months ago, we started 1 to 1 mentoring, and this is only part of his healing, and part of his journey. But since we've been doing our 1 to 1 mentoring, what I've noticed is he's smiling more. He's laughing more. He's showing a little bit more respect.
Kepa: You know, being here seeing these kids walk through our doors all sheltered, scared, not knowing what to expect and just seeing their their transformation and confidence, and smiling and happy, you know, they're just happy that someone cares for them this much to help them and support them.
What motivates you to love others?
Kepa: What motivates me the most is seeing the transformations of our rangatahi and the people that they affect. They they don't realise it but they're infectious, you know, complete strangers are no longer complete strangers. And that's because of the hard mahi that they do. We support them, but they do the work and seeing them go from scared to confident. It's amazing, and I'm glad I do what I do, thanks to them.
