The transition from high school to university study is challenging. Alaha was keen to find work to support her studies and help out with family expenses, but a competitive job market was making that feel impossible.
She recalls submitting many applications, and โhalf of them wouldn’t even get back to you.โ For anyone looking for work, especially as a young person exploring employment options, the silence can feel like rejection. Despair and discouragement can be brutal.
You start to lose hope. You just, like, give up.
Sometimes simple actions like sharing your struggle with a trusted friend for family members can open the gate to a field of possibilities. That was the case for Alaha.
One of Alahaโs aunties was aware that Visionwest operates a youth development service called ลhinga Tลซ, and suggested that Alaha should get in touch. She found a supportive environment that facilitated relationships and a safe place to discover new self-confidence.
Weโve learned about ourselves, like the skills we have.
For Alaha, the training on how to prepare for and nail an interview was particularly game-changing.
Just by doing it constantly you kind of like get the hang of it. You know what to say, you know how to act, you know what to wear, what to do. I really knew what I was going to say and confident and everything.
ลhinga Tลซ continues to support rangatahi after they find work. Alahaโs employment mentor, Maryann, stayed in touch and continued to support her.
She would just ask how I am, how is it going, and if I ever needed help to call her, or like if there was ever trouble at work, and… if they were trying to take like advantage of me to call her. I feel like that just made me feel a bit more secure.
Alaha is now studying Biological Science at the University of Auckland and is looking towards something in the medical fields or in nursing.
She encourages other rangatahi to reach out for support.
Just asking for help has changed my life.
Visionwest ลhinga Tลซ (Youth Development)
ลhinga Tลซ is a holistic and wraparound approach to support that enables rangatahi aged between 15 and 24, regardless of their past struggles, to achieve their goals and aspirations.
LEARN MORE ABOUT VISIONWEST ลHINGA Tลช
