Project K

Negative peer pressure is alive and well in our schools, says Project K graduate Jessica Folster.

"If you do well in school, people call you a geek."

Project K seeks to address this issue for teenagers and "maximise youth potential".

When Jessica was chosen for Project K she was feeling the pressure from her classmates to be average.

Like many young New Zealanders, she was passing her exams but wasn't focused on achieving her best.

"There's quite a negative thing in schools about doing well," she says.

"It wasn't something to be proud of.

"[Project K] taught me to be confident with myself - if people don't like me for who I am, then don't worry about it."

Founded by Graeme Dingle and Joanne Wilkinson and developed in New Zealand, Project K helps young people to set goals, become confident and realise their dreams.

The course is offered to fourth-form students who are selected after filling in a self-esteem analysis survey.

Project K is a three-stage process involving a three-week wilderness adventure, the Sony community challenge and Carter Holt Harvey Project K mentoring.

The wilderness adventure helps the youngsters to develop life skills such as goal setting, the value of teamwork, determination and self-belief.

The second stage adapts these lessons to the local community, with students undertaking a community project.

Finally, the students work for 12 months with a mentor to achieve a range of "self-set goals".

Students set at least two goals that they wish to achieve over the 12 months and work towards them. Mentors work with them, helping to plan mini goals and to overcome obstacles along the way.

After achieving her goals, Jessica regularly sets new ones - "achieving them makes you want to set more".

"Now I set myself goals all the time, if I want something I will just go for it."

After the Project K course Jessica won the Governor-General's Outstanding Student Award for 2000.

Next year she plans to study a double degree in commerce and psychology at Otago University.

Project K chief operating officer and mentor trainer Judith Hutchinson sees that a major aim is to "get the foundations right for young people so they can become self directed".

The groundswell of this self-direction will then lead to a knowledge wave.

In fact, to combat negative peer pressure in schools, Judith says, "we need to change the fundamental culture of the country with regard to achieving".

"The key to the knowledge wave is training people to set and achieve goals.

"Not only are we helping these guys who are going to be our future leaders and movers and shakers, but those trained can see benefits in their work environment, in their own relationships, their communication and how they relate to other people."

The Carter Holt Harvey Project K mentoring scheme is set up so students can make their own decisions. Mentors encourage students rather than telling them what to do.

Judith says the Project K system can also by used by parents and corporate organisations and is very exportable.

Carter Holt Harvey, Farmers, Sony, Sanitarium and Wilson and Horton are implementing the mentoring scheme for their employees as well as providing mentors for students.

Project K is a charitable trust based in Auckland. The scheme is well established throughout Auckland and the central North Island. It has also been launched in this year in Porirua and Dunedin.

Plans are in place for Project K to operate in all mayor New Zealand regions by 2005.

Project K

Tel 09 379 2778
E-mail office@projectk.org.nz

Herald features

Our turn

The jobs challenge

Common core values

href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?reportID=57032">Catching the knowledge wave | Official site