Roar4PNG is an organisation devoted to preventing and healing sexual and domestic violence.

This organisation wants to build a women's refuge in Kokopo, capital of East New Britain in Papua New Guinea, where Finn served for 18 months with Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA).

"I might not be able to change the world, but I can at least get the conversation going about how we are all connected and can do small things," says Finn.

On Wednesday Challenge 2000 welcomed him at his long-time whanau's new home in Johnsonville to hear stories about his journey so far and to raise money for this project.

A rousing haka greeted him as he arrived at Challenge 2000 to share food and stories.

Click here for more pictures.

When Finn spoke about his journey, he was inspirational. "I have found my time on the walk mentally and physically very taxing at first."

He said he had discovered tiny leg muscles he never knew he had until they wouldn't let him move the way he liked.

"One day early on I walked 35km and then couldn't stand up - putting up a tent while sitting down is very challenging."

"But spiritually it has been very enlightening, and I have embraced a Maori proverb I saw somewhere on my journey, ‘In the footstep, there is thought.'"

The money Finn raises by his efforts will go towards the NZ$400,000 start-up cost of the women's refuge.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Rabaul is providing the land for the refuge to be built on. It is also meeting the costs for on-going maintenance and care packages for the women.

Finn spoke of the people of Papua New Guinea and how this refuge would provide real support for many women and children.

He said this is what keeps him motivated on his journey towards completing the Te Araroa Trail by Christmas and which he views with a good portion of realism and hope.

"Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi Engari, he toa takitini / Success is not the work of one, but the work of many."

If you would like to support or donate to this cause, please contact Kitty at challenge2000@xtra.co.nz or visit Finn's crowdfunding page 2000Miles for PNG Women on givealittle.

Challenge 2000 is a youth and family development agency based in Johnsonville, Wellington, New Zealand.

Source

• Supplied Clarissa Fitzgerald
• Image: Supplied Challenge 2000

Steve Zabilski wrote that Ali, with his wife Lonnie, were regular volunteers at the society's dining rooms.

Mr Zabilski stated that Ali was part of the Vincentian family.

"He came to our dining rooms to be with our guests. Not to lecture. Not to judge.

"He simply wanted to be with those less fortunate, those who were struggling.

"He wanted to let them know that they were Important. That they were loved."

Continue reading

Mary Duncan, 20, has been working hard to help youngsters in Arusha, Tanzania, after spending time with them as a volunteer two years ago.

Miss Duncan, who grew up in Howick, decided to leave school in 2009 and take up a volunteer position in Africa shortly after her 18th birthday the following year.

During her time there she established a not-for-profit charity called Arusha Children's Effort, or ACE, to help children get an education.

Those who sponsor a child through the charity will pay their child's school fees for one of four schools in Arusha.

The money will also go towards buying them school equipment, books, a basic uniform and shoes.

Seventy-four children, many of them Aids orphans, are enrolled in the programme.

Miss Duncan, whom the children call "Mama Mary", is working in Queensland to help support herself. She travels to Africa each year and spends about three months there working on her programme with volunteers.

She described her work as difficult, draining and at times depressing, but satisfying.

"Volunteering in such extreme poverty isn't easy. It is incredibly hard in every way. It is depressing because you feel like no matter what you do, the problem is just too big.

"I have learned more from the kids in my programme than I ever could have at any university hall." Read more

Sources

• The New Zealand Herald
• Arusha Childrens Effort
• Image: St Thomas Academy