Big brothers needed in North Canterbury
By David Hill, local democracy reporter
Big brothers are wanted to support young people in North Canterbury.
Mentors are in short supply for boys needing a bit of extra support, Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Canterbury programme manager Ellie Le Gros says.
‘‘We are getting women, but we need more men because we match by gender. Our boys are missing out.
‘‘You don’t need special skills or interests. You just need to be reliable for one hour a week.’’
Le Gros said mentors were needed throughout the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts, and there was an in-school programme run in Kaiapoi and Rangiora schools.
She said Covid had forced the organisation to be innovative in its fundraising and connecting with young people, and social media had proven to be a valuable tool.
But nothing beat face-to-face interactions.
The annual ‘‘Big Breakfast’’ is returning to Rangiora on May 3, after a Covid enforced absence last year.
Internationally acclaimed Christchurch barber and hair artist Matt Brown, the author of "She Is Not Your Rehab", is this year’s guest speaker.
Brown created a barbering programme that is taught in men’s prisons and is an ambassador for the It’s Not OK campaign.
‘‘Matt talks about his childhood and the difficulties he experienced growing up with alcohol and domestic abuse, and what he does now to help men,’’ Le Gros said.
‘‘After the earthquakes he started cutting hair in his garage and he had gang members and business people sitting together, and he found they had something common - they had come from violent upbringings.’’
Once again Big Brothers patron and former Kiwis rugby league coach Frank Endacott will host the breakfast.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon regularly attended the annual big breakfast and said he saw the value in mentoring young people.
‘‘I have seen the value they provide in mentoring and supporting young people and by attending the breakfasts over the years you get to hear from the mentors and mentees.
‘‘When they stand up and talk you can see the real value that mentors bring.
‘‘It is certainly a valued service in our community and I think Ellie and her team do a great job.’’
■ The annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Canterbury Big Breakfast will be held at the Rangiora Baptist Church hall on Wednesday, May 3, with doors opening at 6.30am.
Tickets are $45 each and can be purchased at Humanitix.com. For more information follow Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Canterbury on
Facebook.
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Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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