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Mentoring

“A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you.”
— Bob Proctor

Each week, we meet with different groups of youth in our communities.  We discuss life issues, their personal struggles and focus on teaching them about identity and positive choices.  Life in our communities is very hard for our youth and there are many struggles.  As a result, we believe that all children need to have a safe adult to turn to that can help guide them in life. 

Mentorship happens with a specific program called Nak Wing. We believe that children and youth thrive when they know that they are loved, that they are special, that someone believes in them,  that someone sees them, and that someone is willing to stand with and support them no matter what.

There are a lot of powerful voices and influences in a child’s and youth’s life.  Our kids come from tough neighborhoods where children are at the highest risk of being subjected to prostitution, drug and substance abuse, teenage pregnancy and child labor.  Without direct intervention in their lives, an entire generation of disadvantaged youth will not have the training, skills and character needed to successfully live a healthy life and thus, will slip between the cracks of society.  We believe each child has a unique contribution to this world, and we aim to see them flourish and grow to their full potential. This is the heart of Nak Wing.

Nak Wing is an intentional program that comes alongside our youth and in essence, works hard at ‘knowing each one individually’.

What we do:

  • Intentional mentorship
  • One on one
  • Small group input
  • Advocating and supporting specific needs as they arise
  • Specialized activities promoted throughout the year that engage the interests of the child or youth to inspire their growth and future development and dreams.

Over the many years that Ark has worked in our communities, we have seen youth thrive and make positive life choices that are directly impacting their future.

Our Stories

My name is Lawan and I grew up in a difficult family.  I did not know what love was and when my friend invited me to come to a small group meeting after school, I met people that were full of love.  They have really influenced my life and helped me.  I started to help out at the tutoring center at the end of high school and when I graduated, Ark sponsored me to do a personal development program with Youth With A Mission.  I got to travel to another country and experience new opportunities and heal in a deeper way.  Today, I am enrolled in university and feel so grateful that ARK has supported me as I don’t know where I would be in my life without this opportunity.

PLACEHOLDER

*Ark International Foundation has a policy that no real names of any of our minors will be published publicly.  This is a real story but the child’s name has been changed to protect their identity.