Sisters unite
NATIONAL: It’s fitting that Kendal Collins’ office resembles that of a colour palette. The poster-adorned walls are hot pink, her plush sofas ocean blue and sea green.
It’s fitting that Kendal Collins’ office resembles that of a colour palette.
The poster-adorned walls are hot pink, her plush sofas ocean blue and sea green, every cushion takes on a different hue, and the front doors shine with an envious green.
It’s hard to feel gloomy in the makeshift space hidden at the back of the Auckland dance studio owned by her younger sister, entertainer Parris Goebel. The office is where she runs Sisters United, an organisation established by herself and sisters Goebel and Narelle Ngaluafe to empower Pacific and Ma¯ ori young women.
Combining aspects like dance, spoken word, and creative arts, they want to address issues like self-esteem and body confidence in girls aged 12 to 21.
While it’s an organisation and space that both radiate positivity, beyond those rose-coloured walls and motivational posters lies one hell of a journey.
Sisters United has always been a dream of Collins, and it was after the tragic loss of her 15-month-old son Amarni in 2016 that she put the wheels into motion. The youngster died suddenly after a fever became heart complications he couldn’t fight, and she describes that as her wake-up call.
‘‘This is your time to get out of your job and go chase your dream,’’ Collins says.
Within a month she had said farewell to her decade-long career in social work and was applying for funding. By early 2017, the sisters were in schools around Auckland running eight-week workshops and hosting a year-long Young Queens mentoring programme.
Nearly one year down the track and Collins has racked up award nominations, expanded into several schools, and is planning to take a group of girls to Samoa this year.
Wallowing in her grief over Amarni was simply not an option – she has a husband and two other sons to keep going for, and she has Sisters United to thank for that.
‘‘If I didn’t have this it would have been quite hard for me. This is my escape. I’ve seen more positive stuff coming out of [Amarni’s death] rather than dwelling on the sad part of it.’’
It’s the moments of breakthrough over the past year and helping girls recognise their dreams that she relishes.
She’s seen it all. Girls who really didn’t want to be there, girls who couldn’t name anything they love about their body, and girls who couldn’t stop getting into fights.
‘‘These girls don’t think they have it in them and that’s quite sad actually. Some of them struggle with relationships but we want them to be confident in oneself and realise they don’t need a man.’’
Based in schools like Manurewa High, O¯ ta¯ huhu, and Auckland Girls Grammar, Collins doesn’t want to limit their programme. She’s already fielding requests from around Auckland.
Long term she hopes to be providing the programme around the country, but not until they’re in every Auckland school, she says.