Help Jo get back on the road

Jo has had a tough blow, just as she is starting out.

A few weeks ago, she was accepted into an awesome apprenticeship with United Civil as a drainlayer. She has only just started work (and enjoying it), recently secured her restricted driver licence, and bought her first car. All crucial steps for her to get to and from mahi each day.

Last night, while Jo was visiting me, her car was stolen. It was found fully burnt out.

Inside the car were her new work tools for her apprenticeship, worth $513.16 and something deeply precious, the ashes of her grandfather.

Jo had only just bought the car for $3,000 and had not yet secured insurance. In fact, part of the reason she was at my place that evening was so we could talk through her savings plan, KiwiSaver, and all the grown-up stuff that comes with stepping into adult life, including the tenancy for her first flat, which was just confirmed the day prior.

I met Jo ten years ago via the ‘I Have a Dream’ Charitable Trust, and we have just reached our ten-year mark together as Mentor and Dreamer. Alongside Jo’s whanau, we are hoping to raise funds to help Jo replace her transport and essential tools, so she can keep getting to work and continue her apprenticeship with confidence.

Any support, big or small, would mean a lot. More than anything, I would love Jo to feel that there is more good in the world than not.