As part of National Youth Week (14-21 April), Mission Australia’s South West Youth Peer Education Program is taking 50 young people of Pacific Islands backgrounds on the No Pain, No Gain camp – an opportunity to cultivate leadership skills in the participants so they can return to their communities to inspire other children and teenagers.

Between 16-17 April, the No Pain, No Gain participants will camp at Cataract Dam and explore what it is and what it takes to be a leader.

Through this initiative Mission Australia aims to help break down negative stereotypes of Pacific Islander youth and improve the public image of their communities.

South West Youth Peer Education Program (SWYPE) Team Leader, Charlie Fruean, said the camp will be unique because it is designed by, and for, young people of Pacific Island background.

“Over two days, these young people will take part in activities such as boot camp training, performing arts, radio broadcasting, sound engineering and sports. The camp is designed to push their physical, mental and emotional boundaries,” Mr Fruean said.

“We will have special guest speakers talking about stepping out of comfort zones, individuality and independence. It can be lonely for young people to steer away from their friends and do something different.

“Some guest speakers will focus on gang mentality and how to break it down.

“After the camp, we hope these young people will apply their newly acquired leadership skills to their personal lives – whether in their sporting teams, at their work or with friends and family.

“Training them now to become respectable youth advocates and role models will not only make them become better leaders, but stronger community members too,” Mr Fruean said.

The No Pain, No Gain camp is part of the Mission Australia TLC (Take the Lead in Your Community) Youth Leadership Program, funded by the NSW Youth Partnership with Pacific Communities.

Media contact: Anh Dang (02) 9641 5031