One hour. Once a week. One Life.
We were privileged to have two representatives from the non-profit organisation Big Brothers Big Sisters, Wellington – Tuakana Teina. Hannah McCaleb, programme coordinator and Adithi Pandit, Board member.
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is a global organisation which has a long history of making a positive difference in the lives of tamariki (young people) through strong and enduring mentoring relationships. It was established over 100 years ago by a lawyer and is the world’s largest mentoring programme; helping over 280,000 children around the world reach their potential through professionally supported one-to-one relationships.
BBBS started in New Zealand in 1997 as a non-government funded organisation. In 2018 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Aotearoa (New Zealand) provided over 700 tamariki with a trained mentor through its 13 programme locations across the country.
BBBS launched their life-changing programme in Wellington in 2018, where an estimated 9,400 children are at risk. To date they have trained 19 mentors and have made five matches ie. pairing a mentor and child. The vision is to be able to provide a mentor for every child who wants one. 90% of the children in need come from single-family homes and are mostly boys.
Research highlights the powerful, positive and lasting impact that mentors have on children’s lives. Each time Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs a child with a mentor – after a rigorous vetting and training process - they start something incredible: a one-to-one relationship built on trust and a friendship that can blossom into a future of unlimited potential. Mentored boys are 2X less likely to develop negative conducts like bullying, fighting, lying, cheating, or losing their temper.
It costs:
$100K per year to keep someone in prison
$18K per year to fund a match.
A promotional video accompanying their talk shared the case-study of Sean Thomas who has been mentored through BBBS for 15 years. He was classified as ‘at risk’ in his youth, and with the help and support of his mentor has flourished. Sean’s story endorses the importance of relationships outside the family.
It is critical that mentored children feel part of a family unit, that they are given the opportunity to learn and share in the simple pleasures of family life, for example cooking, gardening, fishing … activities that are either no cost or low coat. The mentors through BBBS are defenders of potential. Its not about being saviours, but protecting and defending, fostering new relationships, new interests, new connections, providing new directions and ambition. BBS have found that where this is working most effectively, there is a ripple effect.
Volunteers for the programme are police vetted and undergo BBBS training courses. BBBS also provides ongoing support for mentors and matched pairs.
In closing, Hannah and Adithi shared a few words from a grateful parent:
“I am so happy that you are my daughter’s mentor because she is excited to have you in her life. Each time before you come to pick her up, she counts down the hours and minutes which makes me happy that someone meaning you, has put a spark back in that little girl’s eyes.”
Feedback from the children is the best reward … “I have a real friend who will listen to me”
More male mentors are needed.
One hour. Once a week. One life.
Rosalene Fogel
Club Reporter