EDEN

I’ve got a lot of mates who are in the Army and just seeing them in that uniform I’m like, “wow”. They look so staunch but also well presented too. They’ve got their head together. It’s something I really want to strive for. I’ve just got to take that step into it.

My Personal Advisor’s helping me get there. She’s been teaching me how to deal with things, how to get onto a different path, how to heal. Seeing that my past isn’t the greatest, but we can make the future better. It’s been really good.

I wish I’d had her when I got uplifted. I’m happy to have her now, but it would have been so good to have her then. But this is good timing too. To have her now, while I focus on getting into the Army. Also, I had a real bad month not so long ago and… I would not be here if it wasn’t for her.

When I hit rock bottom, when things were up and down, she helped me put my head back on my shoulders. She takes me away from the situation, different scenery and stuff. I like being by the water, so she’ll take me there and we’ll sit in the car and just talk. Talk about life and everything, you know?

She’s honestly one of a kind, I’m so glad I’ve got her. She’s like, an inspiration for me. I feel at peace after spending time with her. I’m lucky. I feel lucky. I hope everyone has someone like that.

I guess I’d like do what a Personal Advisor does. I can imagine myself being a social worker, I really can. I’d go about things the same way she does. Just honest you know, straight up, don’t beat around the bush. But I wouldn’t want to go uplift the kids. Social workers who have to go tell the kid, “we have to uplift you from here.” I don’t want to do that.”

If you’re interested in joining the army – Find a Cadet Unit near you by going to CadetForces. If you’re 13-18 years old you can join Cadets and work towards a career in the Army, Navy or Airforce.

If you’re keen to go to university or find out more about further education – Have a look at Careers New Zealand for loads of awesome information about courses, locations, degrees, applications and entry requirements, scholarships, dates and heaps more.

If you want to talk to someone about how you’re feeling – Lifeline have a free phone line that you can call 24/7. If you’re stressed, lonely, depressed or unsure just phone 0800 543 354 to speak with someone who will be able to help.

Something else? You can Get Support or find out How To.

“MY PERSONAL ADVISOR’S HELPING ME GET THERE. SHE’S BEEN TEACHING ME HOW TO DEAL WITH THINGS, HOW TO GET ONTO A DIFFERENT PATH, HOW TO HEAL.”

WATCH

Tupua

Manuel

Mana

Renee

Sam

Zak

READ

Jesse

Roydon

Shine

Eden

Nabil

Tahirah