Projects

		Project K Trust Our young people today face many challenges. They are often not equipped or confident enough to make the best decisions and see themselves as failing. New Zealand has one of the highest teen suicide rates in the world. In alarming numbers Kiwi teens (who make up 21% of New Zealand’s population) are getting involved in drug and alcohol abuse. They have low self-confidence and low self-esteem. To make matters worse, New Zealand’s literacy levels are also dropping as more teens leave college with no useful qualifications.

Project K Trust is dedicated to building self-esteem and giving life-direction to 13 -15-year-olds to encourage them to maximise their potential. Project K programmes adopt an holistic approach to personal development and empowerment and aim to teach life skills such as goal setting as well as promoting good health and education.

The traditional 14-month programme is for Year 10 (fourth form) students. Students who will most benefit from the Year 10 programme are identified through an internationally recognised survey which is completed by the whole form. Some students are then invited to participate in the programme (with their parents/caregivers' permission), at no cost.

The programme has three distinct stages: Wilderness Adventure, Sony Community Challenge and Carter Holt Harvey One-On-One Mentoring which is ongoing for 12 months. Together they aim to influence the future of New Zealand socially, emotionally, culturally and economically.

It’s the Wilderness Adventure arm of the programme which the Vodafone NZ Foundation is currently supporting. The adventure starts with 10 days at a camp in preparation for a 10-day journey of discovery that can involve kayaking, abseiling, tramping, caving, mountain biking and camping – full on fun for the students, also the perfect backdrop to learn goal setting, teamwork, perseverance, self-reliance and self-knowledge – skills and attitudes admired by Vodafone NZ amongst its own employees.

Students from Wainuiomata High School in Lower Hutt celebrate surviving their NZ Foundation funded Wilderness Adventure

Last year 1712 students entered the wilderness programme across New Zealand. With our help Project K plan to run 31 Wilderness Adventures which will have a positive impact on another 1200+ students in 06-07. Recent research undertaken reveals a significant increase in academic, social and help-seeking self efficacy, an increase in positive health behaviours and an increase in social competence. Feedback from the students involved in the programme highlights their improved attitude, communication skills, their ability to work and be part of a team, increased confidence and the great memories and friendships they have formed during the 12 month programme.

‘The training started as soon as our first adventure began with Project K. Looking back I realise that this was not just about having all of these exciting and in some cases new activities, but more about me and how capable I am. I look back through my expedition log book I realise now I faced more than a few challenges while on the wilderness adventure, but I learnt how to work through them with the help of the facilitators. What I learnt about myself was that I had endurance, the ability to keep going, confidence, leadership skills and ultimately the knowledge that I can achieve just about anything I put my mind to.

Jeff Wallis Graduate of the Hutt Valley Wilderness Programme

The Wilderness Adventure was tough and challenging and took us right out of our comfort zones; therefore I developed a wide range of physical and mental gain from that experience. The project key which unlocked my mind was the realisation that I had untapped potential. I have not been exclusively singled out for change and I hope that everyone realises that they to have enormous unused potential.

Dex Edwardson Graduate from the Christchurch Wilderness Programme

Project K use a tailor made database tool to evaluate the success of their programmes. The proven long-term benefits of the Project K programme include a healthier youth population who:

• are better educated
• have enhanced employment prospects
• have greater self-esteem and focus
• are more balanced, empowered and motivated
• will contribute positively to society
• are less of a burden to health, justice, welfare and law enforcement agencies.