Fatherless Territory Familiar Ground

Fatherless Territory Familiar Ground

June 21, 2012

Not having a father around is something new Big Buddy Wellington coordinator Andrew Morrison knows a bit about.

Andrew (36) was a baby when his parents separated and just six when his father died. “Because I was effectively a fatherless boy myself, I think being able to empathize with the boys I match will definitely help me in the coordinators role,” says the born and bred Wellingtonian, who grew up in Thorndon and Northland with his mother and sister.

Andrew says he has huge respect for women raising kids on their own – particularly boys. “It’s a big call meeting the challenges of a developing boy – especially when you are on your own.”

“Fortunately, my stepfather came into my life when I was about 14 and after the initial territorial tussles over Mum’s attention, we got used to each other and bonded over time. We came to a good place. He’s definitely an important male role model for me, along with my uncles.”

“I totally get how important it is to have a good male role model in a boy’s life.”

Big Buddy is an award-winning mentoring programme that matches well-screened male mentors with fatherless boys aged 7-14. Having run successfully in Auckland for over a decade, the Wellington branch started matching boys in early 2009. Since then, over 70 matches have been made.

CEO Richard Aston says Government statistics show there are over 5000 boys aged 7-14 living in solo parent families in the Wellington region. He estimates 800 of them will be truly fatherless. “Andrew has plenty of work in front of him and can make a significant impact on many fatherless boys’ lives. I have absolute faith in his ability to meet this challenge.”

Andrew says his own experience drew him to the coordinators role. He had worked at Wellington City Council for four years on the Housing Upgrade Project in council flats and was ready for a new challenge.

“I was attracted to what Big Buddy is about – playing a role and making a difference in people’s lives – both the Little and Big Buddies’. I’m motivated by trying to make a positive difference in the world in my own small way, so the social mission of Big Buddy appeals to me.”

The Big Buddy office is based in Brooklyn, close to where Andrew lives.

He says visitors are most welcome – particularly men who want to find out more about becoming a Big Buddy mentor.

“We are always looking for good men to step up as Big Buddies,” says Andrew, who will move fully into the role after three months intensive training. “If you can spare a few hours a week to make a real difference in a fatherless boy’s life, please call me!”

To find out more about Big Buddy go to: www.bigbuddy.org.nz or www.facebook.com/bigbuddynz

Big Buddy - Mentoring Fatherless Boys
www.bigbuddy.org.nz
www.facebook.com/bigbuddynz

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