Vodafone Foundation recognises inspirational youth leaders

2nd December, 2014

Inspirational youth leaders recognised by Vodafone Foundation

Shana Malio-Satele’s dream to improve the academic achievement of vulnerable students in secondary schools around New Zealand has come true. Today, Shana joins five other leaders, who have been given the chance to turn around the lives of young New Zealanders as recipients of the 12th annual Vodafone New Zealand Foundation World of Difference Awards.

Announced at a ceremony in Auckland last night, the awards will pay the salaries and expenses of all six recipients, enabling them to work full-time for a year for their chosen charities and engage young people in meaningful learning.

Shana Malio-Satele is the programme manager for the Great Potentials mentoring and tutoring education scheme (MATES). The MATES programme trains tertiary students as mentors and pairs them with low-decile school students at risk of underachieving. In her World of Difference year, Shana will expand MATES across Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch, and establish an electronic mentoring tool to reach all areas around New Zealand.

The Vodafone Foundation has supported Great Potentials over many years, and has a close partnership with the organisation. The Foundation’s current Fellow, Pat Bullen, has worked on expanding the MATES programme within tertiary learning courses.

Vodafone Foundation chair Antony Welton says the World of Difference programme supports community leaders working with young people in the broadest sense, who aren't engaged in learning or at risk of not being engaged.

"We are passionate about supporting these talented community leaders as they seek to guide the lives of young New Zealanders on to positive pathways. This year's recipients are of a particularly high calibre who will, no doubt, make a strong impact in their communities."

This year the programme has a recipient on the West Coast of the South Island. Tihou Messenger Weepu, in association with the Westland Rural Education Activities Programme, wants to support rangatahi along the coast to explore cultural identity and help them build high value relationships in their community.

The 2015 World of Difference recipients are:

• David Graham, Academy Coach, Naenae Youth Charitable Trust
• Renei Ngawati, Project Manager, Te Runanga o Ngati Whatua
• Robson Tavita, Tuilaepa Youth Mentoring Services Director
• Shade Pihema, Project Manager, He Iwi Kotahi Trust
• Shana Malio-Satele, Programme Manager, Great Potentials
• Tihou Messenger Weepu, Kairanga Rangatahi, West Rural Education Activities Programme

Today, Vodafone also announced the recipient of its World of Difference Fellowship for 2015 - Adrian Schoone, General Manager of the Creative Learning Scheme. The Fellowship will give Adrian the opportunity to complete his PHD studies on the role of the tutor and education, present research findings at the Alternative Education Conference in 2015 and explore global examples of training for the alternative education workforce.

The Vodafone Foundation has invested over $18.5 million in the not-for-profit sector in New Zealand over the past 11 years, through initiatives such as World of Difference.

The recipients will begin their World of Difference positions between 1 January, 2014 and 31 March, 2014. For more information, see http://foundation.vodafone.co.nz.

Established in New Zealand in 2002, the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation is a charitable trust funded by donations from Vodafone New Zealand Limited and the Vodafone Group Foundation. The programme has now funded 73 inspirational New Zealanders to deliver great outcomes in the charitable sector. Each award is worth $100,000 which covers the recipient’s salary and expenses, and additional expenses for the organisation.

ENDS

© Scoop Media