4 days ago
Studying mother acknowledged by YWCA initiative
University of Otago philosophy student Ellathea Fleming, holding her son Kahukura Tonginako-Fleming, 3, and Queen's High School student Malak Tamimi were named on the YWCA Y25 programme this year. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
Becoming a mother at 18 years old inspired a Dunedin woman to make a difference in her community.
Ellathea Fleming was recently recognised for her work in the community by being named in the YWCA Y25 programme — a celebration of 25 young wahine and gender-diverse change-makers between 15 and 25 years old.
Ms Fleming said it was nice to be acknowledged.
The biggest thing she was involved in was the Hive, a group of young people who act as a two-way bridge between youth and the government started by Curative NZ.
Ms Fleming was involved in starting Hive's rangatahi civics engagement group which involved talking to young people in different communities about politics.
She got into the work when she was 18 years old and taking a break from university after having a child.
"I was getting bored.
"I was like 'no, there's still stuff I want to do'.
"I want to see more change."
She wanted people her age to understand the policies and vote.
Ms Fleming said it had not been easy going through university with a child and some days were more frustrating than others.
"It required a lot of patience not just with him but also with myself," she said.
"This is the hard part; all the other stuff is easy."
On top of being a mother and a student Ms Fleming is actively engaged in Talavou Village, and university-based networks.
She has served as te aka mātauraka (academic officer) for the Otago Māori Humanities Students' Association, vice-president of the Otago Cook Islands Students' Association, and is a komiti member for te Manaaki o Tamariki Kōhanga Reo.
Queen's High School student Malak Tamimi, 15, was also named on the list of the impressive young change-makers.
She was a part of many different youth-orientated initiatives including the Dunedin Youth Council, the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand Youth Advisory Croup and Gen Z Aotearoa as well as being involved in her family's Rozana for Palestine fundraiser.
University of Otago medicine student Eleanor Dunn, 23, and Wakatipu High School head girl Manuella Sanches Pedrosa, 17, were also named on the list.
The young women went to Auckland for a three-day wananga (learning retreat) last week where they networked with other young people from around the country.
