Champs

A couple of weeks ago I began volunteering at an after school program called "Champs." This has been a great opportunity for me since it is similar to what I did in the States. This program is part of the Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC.) HNZC is a community renewal program that finds neighborhoods in need and then sends representatives to set up office in one of the houses in the area. 

The renewal is a five year process where they begin to clean up the community through training, teaching,  and restoring the people of the community. The area that I am working in is in Northcote, which is about a ten minute drive from our house. 

This is an area of about three blocks of government housing that has become a very rough area. Before Christmas, some primary school children were 'pretending' that they were in gangs. They were dressing in certain colors and doing certain things that were very realistic, even though these young children were just pretending. 

One of the employees of HNZC decided that these kids needed a positive outlet for their energy with role models who could possibly help steer them clear of the gang scene. She began hosting a program for primary school children two days a week called Champs. Champs has been a success thus far as there are many kids involved in the program. These kids are amazing! 

I am learning so much by being a part of Champs. Most of the children are Pacific Islanders, which means that they have a very different culture than what I am used to! 

It has been so much fun getting to know the kids and learning about their lives. I am also starting to get to know some of the other volunteers. Many of the volunteers live in the community of the program; it is really cool to see community members getting on board with HNZC to help make their community a better place for themselves and the children. Here are some pictures from the program: 

Here is a picture with me and some of the girls learning Mau Rakau (ma-u-rah-koo). Mau Rakau it is like Maori martial arts. Mau Rakau means 'skilled use of weapons'- not sure how skilled I am yet!

This is how you are supposed to swing the stick to strike you opponent. We are getting trained how to defend as well. The defense in this move is to jump over the weapon or stick.

Two of the boys taking a break from playing! 

Some of the older boys playing Touch-touch rugby that is, but 'touch' and 'rugby' are seen as two completely different games- I am still learning!  The kids in the background are playing cricket.