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As we are back in lockdown, we thought we’d start this blog to help you get to know us a little better. Each week we will have a focus on one of our team members!
Starting us off is Savali Lilo. Savali has been with Sowers since 2017. Savali is one of our amazing youth workers, his focus is mentoring rangatahi who have come to police attention, walking alongside them and helping them reach their full potential. When Savali is not working, he is involved with the youth at his church and playing kilikiti.
Here’s a quick AMA we did with Savali:
What do you love most about youth work?
I love working at what I do, and I find I have the most fun working with young people. I don’t have a huge philosophy around it, my approach has always been a practical one, let’s go out and have fun together, let’s go out and learn new things together and work as a team. It’s not just about what they can learn but what I learn from working with them as well. Youth work can be very frustrating or fantastically rewarding, it is never ever boring. I become energised when surrounded by their conversations and creativity.
What do you find challenging?
Working with a young person with family problems, having the parent or caregiver make demands on the program, having a parent not support their child’s participation, and needing to share information with parents. I believe to make a difference in a young person’s life starts in the Family. It is a challenge trying to get the young person’s support group in place making sure he has that support group around him.
If you could give one piece of advice to young people today, what would it be?
Use your time wisely. You only get one shot in life.
If you could give one piece of advice to parents of young people, what would it be?
Our young people just want to be cared for, listened, and feel belonged at home. Spend time with them, understand them and talk with them.