Mangere's 275 Times May 2016

2
LIVING TO SERVE EARNS HONOUR continued...
but they supported me getting higher
education. They drove me to Albany
as I still couldn’t drive and I crossed
the harbor bridge for the first time in
my life.”
Her studies led her to undertake
a Master's degree and develop a
mentoring scheme particularly
aimed at helping young Pacific
women. This scheme would soon
evolve into what is now known
as Affirming Works. Since 2001,
without the support of her husband
and their faith in God.
“We just feel called to this piece of
work and it’s just by faith that we step
out. The key for us has been about
doing those small things well. Doing
the ordinary things right and I think by
doing that, things fall into place.”
Watching these young Pacific leaders
come up is what excites me now.”
Ms Afeaki-Mafile’o says her upbringing
in Māngere has given her a unique
perspective on the world to help her
achieve big things.
“It’s all about Māngere. I think it’s the
richness and diversity of the people
here that has prepared me so well
and it’s basically helped me feel
confident in being brown.”
So what's next for Ms Afeaki-
Affirming Works has supported
more than 5,000 youth and
children and provided training
and employment to more than
100 youth workers.
But Ms Afeaki-Mafile’o has
morphed from social worker into
social entrepreneur as she and her
husband have gone on to run two
cafes, a consultancy business and a
coffee plantation in Tonga.
In 2006 she was awarded the Sir Peter
Blake Emerging Leader Award, and in
2013 she was awarded the Westpac
Woman of influence for Community
and Social Enterprise.
The mother of three says she couldn’t
have undertaken all these projects
“It’s all about
Māngere.
I think it’s the richness
and diversity of the
people here that has
prepared me so well..."
She says all the proceeds from their
business enterprises are reinvested
into the support services for young
people as that remains her greatest
passion.
“We’re focused on trying to grow the
next generation of leaders by creating
opportunities for our youth to use
their giftedness.
Mafile’o and her team?
"We've run this conference
for the last three years called
"Young, Free and Pasifika" - it's
for young women to explore
their culture, identity and to
empower their communities." She
says attendees are hand-picked
from around secondary schools in
Auckland and this year it will be held
on May 27 at the Māngere Arts Centre.
To find out more check out the
YouTube clip from last's year
event: https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=TPmSozuYd24
Or visit https://www.facebook.com/
affirmingworksltd/ for more info.
275 times
275
Māngere’s
times
Words: Justin Latif
Design: Jo Latif
Publisher: ME Family Services
We are currently reaching around 15,000
people via Facebook, Twitter and our hard
copies magazines which are distributed to
over 100 pick up sites around Māngere, Māngere
East, Māngere Bridge and the Airport District. If
you would like to promote your business AND
support this community initiative please email
us and we'll send you more info.
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www.275times.com
what we're about
There are so many great things going on in Māngere
but unfortunately we don’t hear about them or these
positive events get overlooked.
Therefore, with the help of ME Family Services, we
have set up this local media initiative to provide a
platform for sharing the positive stories of Māngere,
celebrating successes and also bringing to light things
that matter in the community.
This is a social enterprise aimed at enriching this
community through informing and entertaining
anyone who workds, lives or plays in Māngere.
If you're unsure why the '275' - it refers to the 275
telephone prefix than many used to have and it
also has become the unofficial nickname of this
community.
Please don't hesitate to send us any feedback or ideas for stories.
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Contact: Tuhin Choudhury
Unit 7/17 Airpark Drive