Robbie, Hawke's Bay
Born in Morrinsville and spending his early years in the Wairarapa before settling in the beautiful Hawke’s Bay, childhood was anything but simple. Growing up on the autism spectrum, Robbie often felt like an outsider. In Year 10, Robbie was selected for the Foundation’s Project K programme, an experience he proudly says shaped him into the person he is today.
Read Robbie's Story
Helen, Western Bay of Plenty
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, Western Bay of Plenty
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, Canterbury
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, Hornby High School, Canterbury
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 Bronte's Story
Adrian, Canterbury
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
Spencer, Ōtūmoetai, Bay of Plenty
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
Iszack, Birkenhead College, Auckland
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
Lineti, Wesley College, Auckland
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
Connor, Glenfield College, Auckland
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
Ayla, Western Bay of Plenty
I will never be anything... I am never going to go anywhere in life... I’m a failure... I’m ugly... No one likes me... I shouldn’t be here... I should just die. All of the thoughts I just shared were ones that I felt frequently up until I was selected for Project K.
Read Ayla's Story
Jaleel, Canterbury
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, One Tree Hill College, Auckland
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
Mila, Western Bay of Plenty
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
Vaitoelau, Kelston Girls' College, Auckland
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, Waitakere College, Auckland
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, Mount Maunganui College, Bay of Plenty
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. Western Bay of Plenty
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, Auckland.
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. Western Bay of Plenty.
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
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 Prasad, James Cook High School, Auckland
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
Brooke, Rutherford College, Auckland
Brooke, a Stars student from Rutherford College in 2013 and now a member of our National Youth Advisory Group shares her experience with our Stars programme and how that led her to where she is today.
Watch Brooke's Story