MSL Training Graduation

Photo c/o labour.org.nz

This morning, the school I'm connected with, had it's 1st graduation for 2017. Peeni Henare (Labour Party) Member of Parliament, was one of our guest speakers. He shared his life journey which was very inspiring, uplifting, and it resonated very well with the graduates, parents, tutors, and staff.

Our school, MSL Training is a foundation training provider which has helped thousands of people into employment or further study since it began in 1998. I'm a newbie here as a Tutor of Supported Learning (Level 1 and 2).  We have three campuses: Botany, Takapuna, and our main one in Manukau.  Our courses are Hospitality, Retail, Event Planning, and Supported Learning.  We had more than 100 graduates in our Manukau campus, mostly from Maori and Pasifika communities, 75% of whom attended the graduation.

I've had my share of graduation or commencement speakers.  And rarely do I get to listen to one who inspires, connects, uplifts, challenges, and engages, like what Peeni did.  I wish that I was able to record for posterity what he said.  He had a down-to-earth, practical, street-smart way of explaining what life is all about.  Plus he put a premium on education as the key for one's future.

He ran away from home as a young man, to escape responsibility (at the same time feeling lost as to what he should do with his life ) when he got his girlfriend pregnant.  He became homeless, lived in the streets, until he was rescued by his family (who never abandoned him), who welcomed him and helped him get a good education.  His family helped him raise his son while he was studying.  He took up Law at the university, worked in many organizations and is now an MP representing the Tamaki Makaurau Maori electorate.  And oh by the way, that son of his is now studying to become a medical doctor.  He shared many more thoughts and gems with us and I hope that one of these days I'll be able to record them for posterity.

I wish my eight-man team, my Supported Learning graduates, all the best.  I'm truly proud and privileged that I've been part of their journey. For some of them this is the very 1st time that they've ever went on stage to get a certificate, to graduate.  Some of them, did not blend well with society, and were considered an inconvenience to society, that they were good for nothing, merely troublemakers, living off society.  But listening to them and journeying with them, I've learned that they too have dreams, that they too wish for a better life.  Yes, they do have learning disabilities, but look where they are now. Look how far they've gone and they're going to go farther.  They're going to go the distance, with the help of everyone, you, me, us.  I'm looking forward to see them on Monday, when we start our Level 2, and I'm confident that I'll see them again on stage this December when they graduate.  May God Be Praised!