World youth leaders visit Otara school

After sailing for about eight days, 46 youth leaders from Ukraine, Egypt and Costa Rica among 10 other countries arrived at Ferguson Intermediate School in Otara.

It was a big day for the students of the decile one school as they got the chance to meet people from countries they had only otherwise read about.

Operated by the government of Japan, the Ship for World Youth (SWY) programme has brought together youths aged 18 to 30 from Japan, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Egypt, Fiji, India, Kenya, New Zealand, Tonga and Ukraine.

The theme for this year is ‘Be a leader and open others’ minds’.

Spanning six weeks, the participants board the Ship for World Youth, live, study intercontinental relationships and discuss global issues aboard. They also visit different countries hoping to appreciate unity in diversity.

From Hamilton, Abby Fisher, who studies International Relations at Victoria University says her experience has been ‘‘really good’’.

The students held a powhiri to welcome the delegation.

‘‘It’s been quite humbling and I’m proud to say this is part of our culture, our country,’’ she says.

The delegates held a talk with the students, to see and under- stand how youth are in communities in New Zealand.

‘‘We have stayed true to our pride in our country, but have also highlighted issues including the Auckland housing crisis. It’s not just news, but it’s nice to see that we’re all New Zealanders, the same happy people. I’d say there’s more happiness in South Auckland,’’ she says.

Gabrielle Tremblay from Canada says her first experience of a powhiri was so ‘‘powerful and touching, the haka . . . it was amazing’’.

The principal of Ferguson Intermediate, Sisi Key says the children enjoyed the visit.

‘‘I saw it in their eyes . . . that there’s something beyond, even though we love Otara, but these are people from the world,’’ she says.

Wesley Talai’manu, who is on the board of trustees at the school was the one to bring SWY to South Auckland.

He is an alumni of the programme and hopes this encounter broadens the students’ horizons.

The touring youths also visited Bairds Mainfreight Primary School and Koru School.

Looks interesting? Visit www.swynz.org.nz for more.