Sowers Staff Members

Featured

Belinda Tia - Team Leader, Social Worker/Community Youth Worker

I am a registered social worker, completed a bachelor of Social work at the University of Auckland, and have work experience at Stand and Youth Justice Otara. I am South African born, but have grown up in Howick and Pakuranga most of my life. I now live with my husband in Papatoetoe, but East Auckland is still very close to my heart.

I have been a youth worker for Sowers Trust since 2012, and am passionate about the young people in East Auckland/Manukau. I am also a trained Triple P practitioner. I am enthusiastic about the work that Sowers Trust does by walking alongside young people, supporting and building up their strengths, empowering and equipping young people with the right tools in dealing with challenges. I have a strong passion for helping young people make positive change in their lives and to see them succeed in all aspects of their life.

I have seen the impact of young people when there is no-one there for them, to hear them, to support them, to encourage them, to teach them and I strongly believe that The Sowers Trust is able to assist them in all these areas.

Verona Ramadu - Family Worker

I am a Family Worker at Sowers Trust and I work part-time so I can balance my work and family life. I am married with two young children.

I emigrated with my family from South Africa in 2000 and therefore have a heart for immigrants like myself looking to build a new life in NZ. I have qualifications in Biomedical Science as well as Occupational Therapy which inform my practice in my work with families. I worked for several years in community mental health practice prior to taking time out from paid employment to look after my children full-time.

I am a trained Triple P practitioner with a focus on supporting parents with children from 0-12 years. Triple P stands for Positive Parenting Program and is a research-based program designed to help parents to create a better family life with their children, based on the following five steps:

1. Create a safe, interesting life

2. Have a positive learning environment

3. Use assertive discipline

4. Have realistic expectations

5. Take care of yourself as a parent

I am also trained in the Stepping Stones parenting programme which is aimed at supporting parents of children with a disability.

Nigel McConnachie - Social Worker / Community Youth Worker

I am a qualified social worker, who has worked in a variety of different settings; including social work in schools, community social work, and family violence support. I work with young people and their families here at Sowers Trust. I am accredited to deliver level 3 Triple P group and primary care, as well as triple P Teen groups. I also work alongside families that may need support or assistance with navigating different social services.

I grew up in the neighbourhood, so I have an understanding of the pressures youth face in our community. I live locally with my wife, daughter and our two dogs.

The kind of work I do with young people revolves around anger management, self-esteem and resilience building, and family conflict. I love working with the whole family, as it strengthens the support network around the young person and offers greater opportunities for successful outcomes

Savali Lilo - Community Youth Worker

I am a community youth worker from Sowers Trust. I have a BA degree from University of Auckland in Pacific Studies and Sociology. Studying sociology gave me a better understanding and knowledge of the changes in society, diversity, culture, social organization and human behaviour which has had a huge impact on our young people today. It has helped me work along and help our people in today’s modern society.

I run youth development programs and mentoring sessions in building resilience and confidence. I am very passionate working with our young people because today’s youth are our leaders tomorrow. I believe each young person has a talent and ability to pave a path towards a successful and healthy life. I provide motivation, energy and tenacity that can conquer and overcome their circumstances and situations together as a family. It is about changing young people's lives so that they can fulfil their potential.

I grew up witnessing and experiencing poverty, homelessness, crime, depression, family chaos and violence which has motivated me to help our young people and I know what it takes to overcome these obstacles in life to have positive and successful outcomes. I grew up in a homeless family with my parents being cleaners where I only get to see them in the morning and at night time. However, I still managed to battle through life and be the first ever person in my family to graduate at University of Auckland. I see myself as a role model for our young people through my actions. If I can do it anyone else can.

Sowers Trust Board

Tracey Stevenson – Chairperson

Tracey is a Chartered Accountant with experience in both corporate accounting and not-for-profit governance. She has recently retired from a role as Director at local housing charity Habitat for Humanity, a role she held for 14 years, and has completed 2 terms as a trustee and Board Chair at Somerville Intermediate. Current roles include a position on the National Finance and Risk Committee of Habitat for Humanity NZ Ltd, and the Board of Trustees at Howick Intermediate, as well as jointly owning and managing a local business with her husband Lloyd.

Andrew Wood

Andrew is a Member of NZ Association of Counsellors and Associate Member (FDR) Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of NZ Inc. He is a Director of Howick Counselling Services, and has had an extensive background in counselling and education with a part time counselling role at a local school, and a former role as Deputy Principal at a local secondary school.

ROBYN BAYLEY

Robyn is a secondary school science teacher, and was a missionary in West Africa for 17 years. She has retired from school teaching at least twice, but keeps returning for shorter term contracts to fill in for colleagues. She is an active member and past elder of Howick Community Church. She delights in her children and grandchildren.

BRIAN PAYNE

Brian’s professional background was mechanical engineering from where he moved to Pakuranga College as a secondary school technology teacher (33 years) and is also on their board of trustees as staff representative (10 years). He also regularly attends Howick Community Church where he has been an elder for the past six years. He joined The Sowers Trust board at the beginning of 2020.

PAUL GRAY

Paul has been part of the Sowers Trust family since 2012 when he started his internship as a youth worker. After graduating in 2015 with a Bachelor of Youth Development, Paul left the Sowers team to work for four years as Youth Pastor at Howick Comunity Church. After a year in Corporate Account Management Paul is back working with youth as Sport Coordinator at Elim Christian College. Paul joined the Sowers Trust Board at the beginning of 2020.