FIJI

Fiji as a multi cultural island faces a lot of challenges with their young people.

As a generation that listens with their eyes and see with their ears grow, the vulnerability to different issues becomes a fear.

Olafou has created a strength based approach that captures the young peoples attention and make them not hesitate to respond positively to those issues.



As the course continues, youth workers finds themselves challenged to be discipline with their calling.

Like Uncle Eki always say....

"GOOD THINGS

COME OUT OF FIJI"

PARTNERSHIP FOR CHANGE

In the last block course there were two significant things that happened. One of them was the launching of the Pasifika Partnership Fund.

We welcome the partnership that was launched on the 13th of November 2009 with TEAR FUND New Zealand, and TEAR FUND Australia who have set the platform for support within the Ola Fou family.

This came out of the discussions as we realized that for youth workers to implement different projects addressing the needs of young people that has come through their discoveries in the Through Their Eyes Project, we need to develop a partnership with different churches, organizations or even individuals who are willing to support them and see these projects come to fruition.

We pray that this will grow and become a tool that will help provide a better future for a young person who is in need, a society that needs rebuilding, and a community that needs development.

As Mike Wood from Porirua NZ stated during his launching speech, that when an agreement or partnership is signed, the piece of paper as a memorandum is not important, the signature is not important, the money and support granted is definitely not a priority, the PEOPLE is what makes the PARTNERSHIP work.

Because at the end of all this, the people is what makes CHANGES happen.

CODE OF ETHICS FOR PACIFIC YOUTH WORKERS LAUNCHED IN DEUBA.

The second version of the Code of ethics for youth work in the Pacific was completed in October 2009.

Youth leaders from various NGO's, churches and youth groups from four Pacific nations Samoa, Tonga, Solomon and Fiji participated in robust conversations on the code.

Once completed this will be a first code of ethics that will inform youth work in the Pacific.

The full code can be viewed on the Praxis website http//www.praxis.org.nz.

At the moment people are requested to give feedback on the code with the intention to review the code in December 2010.

Written by: Asinate. Savu-Korocowiri.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES.....

“As we train, we forecast that in the near future we will gift countries and communities in the region leaders who will do a positive work with young people. This is not only a dream, it is becoming a reality” U. Eki

Ola Fou began with a drop in 2006 with the cry to professionalize youth work in the Pacific.


It is now almost four years and the ripples of that drop have reached not only the different Agencies of the Youth Workers, who have journeyed with us over the years, but more drops have birthed out of it and more and more ripples are developing throughout the Pacific regions. This year PNG have joined in the journey.


Our goal is to equip youth workers on the ground with tools to develop and empower them as they work with young people in the communities they live in.

TONGA

They are people who love their food, love their culture and their young people.

Tonga started with the Ola Fou journey in 2006 with a dynamic aspect of youth work.

Seeing how Ola Fou has helped them discover more has really become the strength of the course in the  kingdom of Tonga. 

The support of various agencies has pushed them further to pursue more tools into how youth work can be perfected and become a nest for young people in the kingdom.

As the journey continues, we continue to rub shoulders with the brothers and sisters from Tonga, sharing ideas and resources in making this dream a reality for the young people we are affiliated with.


Malo to everyone for the support, and hope to see you all for graduation.

HOW TO APPLY!

Application Process

Application and interviews for the Ola Fou course will be conducted at Block 1 in each participating country. For information about when and where these blocks will be held, please contact:

Sereki Korocowiri

http://www.praxis.org.nz/Site/Praxis_Courses/Ola_Fou_Pasifika/Application_Process.aspx#ygfqcoIecxoqnnnkedcutl.tcpovma.ffcjd

(+679) 3363 159

PO Box 16 663, Suva, Fiji Islands

Please check out the Praxis website for more information and updates about Ola Fou

http://www.praxis.org.nz/

WHO IS IT FOR?

The Ola Fou course is for a person who:

• Is already working with young people in a voluntary or paid position.
• Is able to travel in order to build their knowledge and skills for working with young people.
• Is recommended and supported by a recognised organisation or church that can provide supervision and approved practical project work during the course.
• Is over 18 (and the upper age will depend on the definition of youth age in each country).
• Has basic English language and literacy skills (the course is taught in English).
• Can supply either a police check or an appropriate character reference from government, village or church officials

SAMOA

Samoas approach to Youth Work was a need that needed to be addressed since the discussions happened in 2005.

Ola Fou is an approach also that addresses the need to Professionalize Youth Work in the Pacific. Five church based youth workers have graduated with a Certificate, four continuing on to Diploma Level and 10 were introduced into the family in April this year.

We hope to see more changes happening on the ground and Ola Fou not to be treated as just another training.

SOLOMON ISLAND

Solomon has been identified as one of the largest crisis country in the Pacific. As we journey with them we also recognise the responsibility that we have in affecting change in different levels in their society. First in homes, villages, settlements, and eventually the country.

PNG

PNG is a new country added to Ola Fou this year.

In our visit to the Government Department, they stated that we could not treat PNG the same as the other Island countries as their issues are unique and very different from others.


Ola Fou is very confident that we can contribute positively to Youth Development in the nation. So we have five (5) youth leaders journeying with us.