Youth Week in full swing in South Waikato
Aided by a Vodafone grant, youth leader Ngaroma Reti is bringing the young people of Tokoroa and Putaruru together for a week of fun.
South Waikato youth are on the bus this week – busily moving between a series of activities for Youth Week.
Kasia Jillings
They can practise their Zumba, take in a movie and compete in a talent contest – all for free.
The events, part of Youth Week 2011, started on Saturday and are part-funded by a Vodafone New Zealand Foundation grant.
The week-long event is organised by the Tokoroa Council of Social Services to celebrate young people in the community.
The celebrations include a movie night, “Splash night” at the Tokoroa indoor pools, Zumba evening, Who’s Got Talent competition, and a banana split competition.
Organiser Ngaroma Reti said the purpose was to connect youth from Tokoroa and Putaruru.
“We are a small community and our youth sometimes get isolated.”
The grant will pay for a bus service to connect Putaruru and Tokoroa and take youngsters from both towns to the events free of charge.
All the events are free for youth and their family and friends.
Miss Reti, who is also the Early Youth Services project assistant, said they relied on generosity such as the Vodafone grant to help provide the events.
Instead of paying for the events Miss Reti asks people to donate a can of food to the Salvation Army.
“It’s just a way to do something a little extra and give something back,” she said.
This is the second year the Tokoroa Council of Social Services has celebrated Youth Week in this way.
Last year around 800 youngsters attended events over the week.
Youth Week campaign coordinator Andrea Leersnyder said youth were often portrayed negatively in the media.
“Youth Week is about challenging those stereotypes and proving that youth are not a drain on society.”
Vodafone New Zealand Foundation also awarded grants to three other Waikato groups, Cambridge High School, Aratika Youth in Te Awamutu and St Andrews Middle School in Hamilton.
