Jayken’s Story

The biggest lesson I’ve learnt is to be yourself, no matter where you come from, or your back-ground. Just learn to embrace yourself, find new qualities, and strengthen each area so that you stay growing and glowing. Surround yourself with positive and uplifting people.

Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Wassupp, Helllo! My name is Jayken Paul- Vavia, I am 22 years old, My ethnicity is Maori, Cook Island. I come from a big whanau which is pretty cool, 13 siblings (we all start with J) and my parents. I grew up in a small town, Tokoroa. Had an average upbringing, went to a catholic school for the first few years, then to a state school. I moved to Auckland to do Intermediate and High School and let me say that those years were the best years of my life. I learnt, experienced, lost and gained people, but most importantly I discovered new areas of my life that has made me the person I am today.

One day after high school, a friend of mine invited me to this youth programme. I went for the first time, it was okay but then I thought it wasn’t really for me. I actually stopped going for a bit and they kept inviting me to go, since then I kept going. What Hope Youth was a really safe space for me, each leader was welcoming and always made it feel like a home. The love they had for each young person that walked through the doors is indescribable and I will always cherish that!

I have changed the perspective of how I view things, especially the word "growth" and what it means to me. Growth has definitely been my biggest motivation, I love the word, meaning and seeing it through other people.

Biggest lesson I learnt is to be yourself, no matter where you come from, or your background. Just learn to embrace yourself, find new qualities, and strengthen each area of it to stay growing and glowing. Surround yourself with positive and uplifting people.

One of my dreams for the future is to own a tattoo studio where people can explore their talents and be creative in there own time and space. Also own a building for young people to share their storys through creativity and finding their identity.

I dropped out of school but I've just completed my Diploma in Youth Development, Level 6. If it wasn't for W.H.Y. I wouldn’t have been able to find my true identity and purpose. “Titiro whakamuri, Kokiri whakamua. Look back and reflect so you can move forward!”