MyStory Event Heralds Young Pacific Voices
SouthSeas Healthcare Trust, in collaboration with the Office of the Children’s Commission, is hosting the MyStory event
in South Auckland on Tuesday, 31 October 2017 at the Otara Recreational Centre, culminating in a special dinner to
celebrate SouthSeas Healthcare Trust’s 18th anniversary.
This event will bring together around 100 participants, including young people from South Auckland, and focuses on
intense youth issues, such as social inclusion, with a clear emphasis on personal storytelling.
Judge Andrew Becroft, Children’s Commissioner says MyStory is all about honouring Pacific youth, children and young
peoples’ voices.
“It is an event that honours and celebrates the young people of South Auckland and recognises the importance of their
stories to engage, motivate and inspire others and enable today’s generation shape solutions for today’s challenges.”
SouthSeas Healthcare Chief Executive Silao Vaisola-Sefo says the MyStory event stems from a collective of resources
coupled with personal experiences of young people, schools, youth programmes and community providers, to help address
the common and emerging theme heard across the stories shared, which revolves around communication.
“This is an event that allows our young people to tell their personal stories, challenges, and successes they face on a
daily basis. The stories of our Pacific ancestors have been well articulated, including their migration story to this
land, but the story of tomorrow through our youth lens is never acknowledged unless there is a problem.”
“The emphasis of the MyStory event is not only to celebrate young Pacific people’s voices, but also to allow them to
share their thoughts and hopefully improve public awareness of the importance of their contribution to society.”
“MyStory pays tribute to our young people and inspires them to be confident and courageous and to openly share with
others their personal journeys, successes and life challenges they have faced.”
“Storytelling is also about providing a platform for our Pacific communities to offer hope, understanding and vital
information to enable a call for action. The event is a significant part in our collective Pacific journey heading
forward.”
The MyStory events hopes to ensure young people can understand the value of their story when sharing and acquire the
support and skills to further develop their stories by understanding the mechanics behind responding to another young
person’s story.
ENDS