Big Buddy mentoring is based on the simple philosophy that boys need good male role models in their lives to become good men. Unfortunately, many boys do not have a father or other male role model in their lives and while mothers do courageous work in raising their boys alone, they cannot model maleness. And above all else, boys learn through modelling.
A simple solution is to match these boys with a well-screened male mentor who can foster a relationship similar to that of say an uncle; a relationship we hope is for life.
To do this we recruit men from the community to act as mentors to these fatherless boys. The Big Buddy mentor commits to spending at least three hours a week with a boy (Little Buddy, aged 7-15) for at least a year but all going well, for much longer than that. They spend quality time together doing ordinary things like kicking a ball round a park, fishing, walking on the beach or visiting a museum. The content of the outings is not important - just showing up regularly, listening to and being with a Little Buddy is probably the most important gift a Big Buddy gives. They can both have a lot of fun in the process! A regular weekly phone call adds continuity to the relationship.....

More information about the Big Buddy programme for Caregivers, Boys and Men at http://www.bigbuddy.org.nz