Tribute to teens with right stuff

Sina Alai gets a hug from teacher Marie Norton. Picture / Kenny Rodger

While some teens are lying in their beds, watching television or wondering why no one understands them, Auckland 14-year-old Sina Alai is cooking.

And cleaning. And playing sport. And doing homework.

The Tamaki College student is out of bed at 6.30am most days, and in the 16 hours before going back to bed cooks, cleans and cares for a sick aunt, attends school, plays sport and, at weekends, goes to church.

Sina's hard work was rewarded yesterday when she received a Child Development Foundation Youth Award. The award - given to six deserving teens - includes an eight-day Outward Bound course in the South Island.

"I am happy. I am pretty excited because this is a good opportunity for me," Sina said. "I haven't done this before."

Sina helps her aunt with "all the mother stuff she needs".

Her day is so full it means she is seldom in bed before 10.30pm, and is often still up and about even later.

As if her working week was not busy enough, weekends can be just as draining, playing soccer and going to Tamaki PIC Presbyterian Church.

For Sina, caring for sick relatives is not a new thing. Her mother was crippled by illness, and spent five years in a wheelchair before her death last year. Sina was her personal caregiver.

At school, Sina helps other students deal with their personal problems, and her teacher, Marie Norton, reckons Sina's leadership abilities will only improve as she gets older.

"She is very shy, very humble ... [but] she is a steady influence. She is a role model for younger students."

Former troubled teen Matt Stewart - who won the award last year and is now an apprentice builder - reckons Sina and the other winners will benefit immensely from a stint at Outward Bound.

"They have got to take the Outward Bound course as it comes, and try to overcome their fears."

The course includes tramping, running and PE, but at least Sina will be more than used to the early start; a day at Outward Bound begins at 6am.

The Child Development Foundation is a charitable educational trust established to develop, monitor and promote education programmes for young people.

At yesterday's awards ceremony - held at the Auckland Club - foundation trustee Judy Bailey paid tribute to all six winners.

All the winners had been through traumas, "but they all faced their demons and rose above them", the broadcaster said.

"We are extremely proud of each and every one of them."

Yesterday's gathering also included the naming of the recipient of this year's Kiri Award.

The award - established in 2004 in partnership with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa - recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to the lives of at-risk youngsters.

This year's winner is Innes McColl, of Dunedin, who established the Wide Horizons programme for children from low-decile schools.

Mr McColl daily takes 10 children and parent helpers for outdoor adventures.

"I have been very lucky," he said. "I have had people to support me ... I am just one of a lot of people who are trying to make a difference."

Other winners at yesterday's Child Development Foundation Awards included Shinae Twist, 15, Hamilton.

Aside from overcoming her own addiction to alcohol and drugs, Shinae has helped her P-addicted mother through detox. Shinae also looks after three young siblings, two of whom suffer life-threatening conditions.

This year's award recognises the "perseverance and unselfishness" of a "caring, intelligent young woman", the foundation said.

Shinae intends to pursue a career in the armed forces. 


Youngsters defy the odds

* Honore Reid 13, Raglan

Honore has lost five family members, including his father, in two years and for a time suffered from anger and depression, missing a lot of school through illness. But now he is back in class excelling and representing west Waikato in rugby.

* Nathanael Browne-Thompson 15, Waihi

Nathanael was one of five siblings placed in care at an early age. His stepmother died when he was 4, his stepfather when he was 11. Nathanael suffers from a heart abnormality triggered by stress. But none of those setbacks has stopped him from becoming most-improved player in his rugby team - in his first year.

* Lisa Adams 15, Rotorua

Lisa, who lives with a sick father and two young siblings, has cerebral palsy. But she is an accomplished basketball player and has been selected for the New Zealand development squad.

* Daniel Anderson 15, Christchurch

Daniel comes from an abusive background and has struggled with his anger and low self-esteem. But when his mother went through a prolonged bout of depression, he took a fathering role, providing leadership to his two younger sisters and an older brother.

* Shinae Twist 15, Hamilton

Aside from overcoming her own addiction to alcohol and drugs, Shinae has helped her P-addicted mother through detox. Shinae also looks after three young siblings, two of whom suffer life-threatening conditions. The award recognises the "perseverance and unselfishness" of a "caring, intelligent young woman". Shinae intends to pursue a career in the Armed Forces.