Troubled teenage years inspire residential youth worker, Sweden Faitotoa, to make a difference.

Have you ever met someone with a kind heart, who puts 100 percent into everything they do and has a passion for helping young people? At Barnardos, we’re lucky to have people who have all three qualities, and one of them is called Sweden Faitotoa. What’s quite unique about Sweden, and that no one guesses upon meeting him, is that he has had a troubled past. And his past has shaped him into who is today.

As a teenager growing up in South Auckland, Sweden rebelled and did things he is not proud of. “I did things most young boys did at my age but to an extreme level. After getting into trouble with the law, I knew that I needed to change for my family and community,” says Sweden.

After his rebellious stage in life, he realised he had to take his future seriously and decided that social work was his calling. “Growing up, I was always surrounded by family working in the social space. My mum worked as a probation officer and I had aunties who worked for Oranga Tamariki. It felt inevitable that I was going to follow in their footsteps.”

Sweden was eager to get into social work so he took on a role as a youth worker for an alternative school. Not long after, an opportunity landed on his lap to work as a residential youth worker at a boys’ home in West Auckland, and since Sweden wanted to continue exploring this line of work, he accepted the job. Once he got a taste of residential youth work, he knew it was the career path he was destined to work in.

“Ever since I worked in the boys’ home and dipped my toes in other forms of social work, it really made me realise how much I wanted to be in the role that I am in today.”

The dream job

Landing his dream job as a residential youth worker at Te Whare Kotare, Barnardos' only specialist group home for girls based in West Auckland, has been the highlight of his career to date. Sweden knew this was his opportunity to start making the changes he set out to do when he was younger.

“Once I found out I was going to support young girls, I was a bit scared because I knew I would be entering their sacred space,” says Sweden.

The girls who reside in Te Whare Kotare come from broken homes or poverty and some have mental health issues that have stemmed from trauma and neglect.

“I was always close to my little sister and mum, so I know how to build a safe relationship, but I also know that these young girls have been through a lot already, so I had to earn their trust.”

Sweden’s daily duties involve helping the girls stick to their daily routines and plans, creating fun activities, ensuring they are in a good head space after school and encouraging them to learn life skills that will set them up for when they leave the group home.

Making a difference

For Sweden, his role as a youth worker is more than just a job. “I was told by my manager at the time and even girls who had left the home, that I am the first male they have ever felt safe around. Hearing that alone is rewarding and the reason I hold my role close to my heart,” says Sweden.

This type of work can present tough situations and confronting moments, which Sweden knew would happen.

“My lowest point was when I prevented a young girl from attempting suicide, and I’m glad I was able to intervene when I did.”

“It is the harsh reality for residential workers to have to experience, but with strong protocols put in place by Barnardos and with the endless support from my team, the process can be seamless.”

For Sweden, the highs of the job vastly outweigh the lows. “For me, I get so much personal satisfaction from seeing the girls transition out of the home and seeing them light up with confidence when they leave, it is such a fulfilling feeling.”

So, what is next for Sweden?

“I plan to continue making a difference in the lives of the people in my community and the residential home. I have also decided to study at the Manukau Institute of Technology, where I will complete a bachelor’s degree in social work. I aim to continue the mahi I do and live by the quote I have on my work phone: “Be the change that you needed when you were younger”.