"Youth Week aims to amplify young people's valuable contributions to their communities. We want Aotearoa to be a country where young people are vibrant and optimistic and are supported and encouraged to take up challenges."
Here at Volunteer Marlborough, we love to hear about young people getting involved in the community so we thought that for Volunteer of the Month for May, we would align with Youth Week and honour some taiohi out there doing the mahi. This is just a small number of the youth out there doing great things, but definitely a great representation!
Next up......
Lakshay Negi
Lakshay has been part of the Marlborough Youth Trust Advisory Group since July 2020. He has dedicated his time to volunteering at events, setting up and working them. He has done food service with the Blenheim Golf Club, and he is often the first to put his hand up to volunteer when things need doing.
He immigrated to New Zealand from India and taught himself the English language. He has thrown himself into all areas of life including Kapa Haka, boxing, soccer....nothing is off limits! Lakshay will give everything a go, is always positive, and enjoys a challenge. He is always promoting other events or information in the community and is keen to work hard at building strong relationships wherever he goes.
In her nomination, youth worker Maxine Sweeney from Marlborough Youth Trust says, "Lakshay is like a breath of fresh air. I love that the struggles he has faced have been no barrier, instead he has taken them as a challenge and fought hard to achieve his goals. He demonstrates such resilience and strength and we are lucky to have him on our team. "