Our Young People’s Stories
Here we share the stories of our young people throughout Aotearoa who have had their lives changed by Graeme Dingle Foundation programmes.
Mia's Story
When Mia first stepped into her role as a Stars Peer Mentor, she was filled with nerves, especially at the thought of speaking in front of a whole class of younger students. But she reminded herself of the purpose behind her involvement and pushed through that fear, determined to grow. That courage paid off in ways she hadn’t imagined.
Read Mia's Story
Rae's Story
When Rae first stepped into the role of a Stars Peer Mentor at Wakatipu High School, she was excited to build confidence and develop leadership skills. What unfolded was a journey that reshaped Rae’s entire outlook on leadership, connection, and her future.
Read Rae's Story
David's Story
I might look like your ordinary 11 year old but the challenges I have faced and the struggles I have been through is what makes me different. I want to talk about how Kiwi Can helps every Kiwi kid and alternative learners provide skills for building positive relationships and dealing with hard situations.
Read David's Story
Helen's Story
When I was chosen for the Project K programme I was hesitant at first and didn’t understand how a programme could turn my life around, and pull me out of the hole I had dug. I participated in the programme from the start to the end with no regrets.
Read Helen's Story
Alice's Story
After a big move to Tauranga, Alice initially resisted joining Project K. Embracing the challenge, she connected with nature and worked with her mentor to set and achieve goals. Now, Alice is pursuing her dream of becoming a heavy diesel mechanic, feeling motivated and proud of her journey.
Read Alice's Story
Trey's Story
Trey described himself as having “Quite low self-confidence” and his supportive father, Corey, says “Trey was a wee bit shy before starting the programme”. Trey grasped the opportunity of the programme and worked well with his Mentor to begin pushing himself out of his comfort zone, taking on difficult obstacles and setting goals.
Read Trey's Story
Bronté's Story
Bronté’s mother, Louise, described her daughter as quite shy with not much self-confidence. “She only had a few friends and found it hard to talk to strangers [but through the programme] Bronté’s confidence grew every week. Bronté really liked her mentor Chelsea and enjoyed spending time with her.“
Read Bronté's Story
Adrian's Story
When Adrian was first offered a spot on Project K, he was a bit ‘freaked out’. He told us he was really doubting himself and wondering if he could really do the wilderness adventure part. Quickly, this perspective shifted when he was brought together with other participants to take part in what would become the experience of a lifetime.
Read Adrian's Story
Luke's Story
In 2023, I joined Stars at Tawa College, loving the idea of connecting with my year group, and learning skills as a leader. I had no idea the impact that Stars would have on my life. I was a kid, naive of who I was as a person, and what it meant to just be me – what it meant to just be kind, loving and supportive.
Read Luke's Story
Spencer's Story
In 2020 I completed Project K, an experience that changed my life and that I am extremely grateful for. Before Project K I felt really lost, I felt unsettled and was struggling. After meeting Dan and the team and hearing more about the programme I became excited about the opportunity to learn and grow.
Read Spencer's Story
Elijah's Story
I wanted to find a way to leave my own mark on the school, something that would make me stand out amongst my peers. I then discovered the Stars peer mentoring programme. From what I learnt about it, I saw that it could improve my leadership skills.
Read Elijah's Story
Iszack's Story
Before I was involved with Project K, I was getting into trouble at school and at home, I was making the wrong choices and hanging out with the wrong crowd. After joining Project K, I am proud to say I am making the right choices.
Read Iszack's Story
Chloe's Story
I started my transformation in 2022, when I began attending the Toroa Career Navigator programme with a narrow focus of getting out of school and getting an agricultural job. I entered this programme having a negative view of myself and education. The Graeme Dingle Foundation has taught me so much about the real world.
Read Chloe's Story
Sophie's Story
One of the most important lessons I’ve taken away from the Stars programme is the importance of stepping outside of my comfort zone. It’s easy to stick with what I know and what feels safe, but real growth begins when I start pushing myself beyond my boundaries.
Read Sophie's Story
Lineti's Story
I was selected to join the Leadership Camp (Project K) programme last year at Great Barrier Island. This camp had a significant impact on my self-motivation, and I highly recommend this programme to continue. My future goal after finishing my journey is to continue to push myself to my limits.
Read Lineti's Story
Cade's Story
The Graeme Dingle Foundation has had a profound impact on my personal growth and leadership skills. One significant aspect of my journey was the unexpected role it thrust upon me as a leader. I had never envisioned myself leading or being responsible for a group of impressionable students before becoming a Stars Peer Mentor.
Read Cade's Story
Connor's Story
Connor McIellan participated in Project K in 2021. Previously lacking confidence, Project K helped him discover his abilities and achieve things he never thought possible. With the support of his mentor, Connor developed better social skills and self-confidence.
Watch Connor's Interview
Jack's Story
Jack says “pre-Toroa Jack” would not believe it if he could see him now: “He would say ‘no way that’s happened! You legend!’”. His advice to other young people not sure about their future path? “Do the course. It will set you up and show you how easy it really is to give things a go. Then don’t look back, just trust your instincts and keep going forward”.
Read Jack's Story
Jaleel's Story
I believe that with the help of Amy and the Graeme Dingle Foundation I was able to find myself again and through our weekly catchups, whether it was doing one of our favourite walks/hikes or even our overnight tramps with other Project K mentors/mentees.
Read Jaleel's Story
Kaden's Story
Before Project K I was just starting at One Tree Hill and it was pretty challenging. I wasn’t really involved in class or school activities. Disinterested with most things and a bit overwhelmed I started to struggle with schoolwork and deadlines. Some time during that first year, I was invited to join Project K.
Read Kaden's Story
Cate's Story
I joined Career Navigator at the beginning of Year 13. At the start of the programme, I was real nervous, I was struggling with depression and anxiety and it was getting in the way of life in general.
Read Cate's Story
James' Story
As a natural introvert, James was very unsure of himself and the abilities he brought to the table. Whilst there was hesitancy, being consistent and committed to the Career Navigator Ngā Ara Whetū programme, paid off.
Read James' Story
Mila's Story
I’d have been a fool not to take the opportunity for kai and friendships. So, I did. I started my wilderness adventure with Project K.
Read Mila's Story
Paige Auton's Career Navigator Journey
Paige Auton reflects on her experience in Career Navigator and the success she's had since taking part. "Looking back, I am so grateful for the opportunity that was given to me by the Graeme Dingle Foundation."
Read Paige's Story
Vaitoelau's Story
My name is Vaitoelau Ah Chee. I joined the Project K Community in 2019 and am proud to be a graduate for 2020. My journey was tough and challenging but most of all the most satisfying journey of my life that I will never forget.
Read Vaitoelau's Story
Kai's Story
It often takes an incredible amount of bravery and courage to step into the unknown. For some of our Project K students, their self-efficacy and resiliency is so low that when offered a life changing opportunity, the prospect is so daunting they are overwhelmed and decline.
Read Kai's Story
Brylee Comer overcomes her shyness
It’s strange to remember I used to be so shy. Going into a shop and ordering by myself, was too much. I really didn’t talk to anyone I didn’t know. Even when I got the call to say I’d been accepted into Project K, I considered declining. Being with a group of people I didn’t know – it all sounded too much for me.
Read Brylee's Story
Sara Kaianga's Project K Journey
It was pretty cool realising I could have independence and do things for myself! Before Project K I was quite shy. When I saw an ambassador speaking at our school I loved her confidence. She said she did lots of speaking and promoting the programme and I was so impressed.
Read Sara's Story
Acer's Story
When it was dark enough for the streetlights to turn on my brothers would pick me up from home and we would walk the streets. We always had the urge to feel alive. I wanted to feel like Pete from the movie Green Street Hooligans. We would steal radios and sell them, steal cars and crash them, break windows of homes and cars.
Read Acer's Story
Jess Collins - A young wahine toa
We are extremely proud and pleased to announce that our very own Graeme Dingle Foundation Bay of Plenty Project K alumni Jess Collins received the Prime Minister’s Exemplar Award at this years New Zealand Youth Awards.
Read Jess' story
Stars Programme Opens a New Life for Christine
As a shy refugee arriving in New Zealand from Burma, not able to converse freely in English, Christine Philipo struggled to come out of her shell and enjoy her new life – until she found the answer in the Stars programme run by the Graeme Dingle Foundation.
Read Christine's Story
Brother and Sister Duo – Stars Success!
They are a brother and sister team who came to New Zealand in the midst of tragedy, shy and more comfortable being unnoticed in the background. Now Lahaina and Hawea Solomon, who grew up in Tokoroa, are leaders helping other youth reach their potential and are pursuing their own dreams at university.
Read their story
Paris' Story: From wagging school to succeeding in life
When Paris was in high school she admits she wasn’t the best student or daughter to her teachers or family. During that time her parents were going through a separation and she was failing school and was wagging most days. Paris was having a hard time dealing with her home situation and found it wasn’t easy to focus at school.
Read Paris' Story
Sharonika's Story
Teen Sharonika Prasad used to be scared, of life, of opportunity. She lacked self-confidence. ‘‘I had a negative mind set in which I had beliefs that I would never be successful at anything, with a very low self-esteem. ‘‘I made excuses because I had no motivation and little confidence and I let life pass me by even if it was a wonderful opportunity because I was so afraid of the unknown.’’
Read Sharonika's Story