Meet Max and Soni (IVM Day 2020 spotlight)
Continuing our series on local managers of volunteers for International Volunteer Managers' Day 2020...
Introducing Maxine and Soni, two of the wonderful Youth Workers and coordinators of the MYTAGS (Marlborough Youth Trust Advisory Group) at Marlborough Youth Trust.
- Tell us about how you first got involved with MYT? [Max] I had heard that the youth group out in Seddon was struggling to find enough adults to help keep it running so I started by volunteering my time. Jo (Manager) heard about what I was doing out there and brought me on board.
[Soni] I was working at a winery. Jo knew my mum and when she ran into her, she suggested that I should get my Level 3 Youth Work certificate.
- What do you find most challenging about the work you do here? [Max] There's never enough time, money, or resources to do everything we want to do, but especially in the area of mental health.
- What do you wish other people knew about the young people you work with on MYTAGs and in the community? [Max] I wish people could see them how we see them. Instead of trying to impose a dictatorial relationship on them, get to know them for who they are and release the expectations.
[Soni] Youth are good at moving on when they don't like things. For some people that means they look at these young people and think "oh look, can't even keep a job", but try and look at it more positively. They can keep the job, but they're not feeling it, they want to do something more suited to their interests and passions. So help them succeed!
- What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering with MYT? [Max] Do it! You won't regret it!
[Soni] Come with an open mind. You get back what you put in.
Read the full story by clicking the 'read more' button below
Can you crack Today’s neighbourhood conundrum?
Without a bridle or a saddle, across a thing, I ride a-straddle. And those I ride, by help of me, though almost blind, are made to see. What am I?
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Kalle
"Sports and travelling run in the family, and that's kind of what's led me to come to New Zealand."
"I grew up in a small town in Finland. My dad was involved with sports all his life, he was a shot putter, discus thrower, powerlifter, we traveled quite a bit when I was a kid. He never mentioned much of the rugby days. He just said he broke both of his shin bones playing rugby, so he said, ‘never play the sport, It's crazy.’
I started playing when I was 18. I played my first cap for the Finnish national team in 2014, we won the Finnish championship with my club. Rugby is not a big thing in Finland.
I moved here to play rugby in 2017. The club that wanted me to come over was Methven Rugby Club. They got me here and they were like, ‘what do you do for work? I’d just finished chef school in Finland. ‘We'll get you a job at Mount Hutt as a chef, you can do that while you play rugby with us.’ I said, ‘Perfect. Yeah, I'm in’.
I've always loved food. My mum was an amazing cook, and still is. When I was studying tourism I worked in some hotels in Finland, and I saw how the chef's worked. I just loved the kitchen vibe and I was like, Yeah, that’d be something I'd love to do.
I've had more of a culinary journey In New Zealand than in Finland. I started at Mount Hutt, after that I worked at The Dubliner in Methven. I worked as a senior pizza chef at Sal’s for maybe six months then worked as chef de partie at Cellar Door. At Eliza's Manor, I worked myself up to a junior sous chef. Then the opportunity came to work my first head chef job at Moon Under Water.
We're privileged to have a busy atmosphere, we can try new things and get a bit creative. There are no TV’s, just come here with your family or with your mates, play board games, to socialise.
I really want to drive the local food and ingredients through the menu. We don't mind spending more for quality ingredients as long as it's supporting New Zealand businesses. We just love to use local. And it's pub food, but I feel like it's elevated.
I play club rugby here for the Christchurch Football Club, the oldest club in New Zealand and I still play regularly for the Finnish national team, whenever they can fly me over to play."
- Kalle
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
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This one was sent in by your fellow neighbour, can you figure it out?
What is first white then red and the plumper it gets the more the old lady likes it?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
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