My recent group of children who I took throught The DARE to be You programme all had several personal, behavioural, family and school issues they were dealing with and through the programme they were able to have the chance to explore these as a group in relationship to being able to identify with many of the things in the story.

This worked better and better as the group as the programme went on.  I'd definitely use the programme again - it worked!.

One child was reluctant to come to the first few sessions, by the end he/she was the first to arrive.  Another rarely smiled in the beginning and didn't share in the discussions.  By the end of the programme they were able to share their thoughts/feelings with the group.
June 2010

 

 

What a wonderful and refreshing programme.  I was impressed by the use of language, the way it was written.  It’s easy to understand, but also has a kiwi flavour.   I did not find any of the content offensive, quite the contrary.  It has many aspects that would appeal to a wide range of people.  Whether it be a young age group – for a group of adults, the adaptiveness of the choice of units for this programme make it appropriate to everyone.  The facilitator was very professional in his delivery of this programme.  He asked many questions, all of which were very appropriate for the group.  I couldn’t wait each week to hear more chapters of the book.  It’s very easy to understand.  It has many serious issues, but also some very funny passages.  The kiwi feel to the book makes it easy to identify with the characters and the issues.  The facilitator did ask some questions that made me really think about some relevant issues that I could work on.  I think that DARE to be You would be an asset in any school, or other facilities.  It’s refreshing, rewarding and a fantastic teaching tool.  One to install values, make you think about things on a new level.  It will make your laugh, cry, be angry or address things that you may want to change.  Congratulations on this wonderful programme.  I would be upset if more people couldn’t have this opportunity given to them.  Yes in this book there is some ‘language’ but that is what makes you relate more the underlying issues.  It’s very kiwi and I feel that most people/children wouldn’t find it offensive.  Most young children would have far worse language at home or on the playground.  I wouldn’t hesitate in letting my 14 year old son attend this programme.  Thank you for this opportunity to attend this fantastic programme. – Adult Student

 

I thought the story was very exciting, it had lots of interesting things in it.  It has really helped me with myself esteem and confidence.  I was really impressed with how the facilitator read the story and asked the questions in between chapters, and helped us understand things.  I don’t think there is anything to make it any better, I really enjoyed it, the humour was good.  The t-shirts are nice and the certificates that were given to us at the end were really well set out, and nice for us to keep.  It is easy to understand, it is done is plain English, lots of explanation of NZ things.  I found Run for the Trees easy to understand, enjoyable and I learned from it, and it had more NZ stuff in it.  I have teenagers and think they would really enjoy this story, and would not find it offensive at all as it is written in such a way that it is like everyday language, even my granddaughter who is 7 years old would really enjoy this story and what it is about.  Kids today need to be talked in plain English and I believe this is the way this story and programme have been done.  Congratulations to the author of this story and the people of DARE to be You.  You have done a wonderful job.  - Adult Student

 

I found that this programme was very good.  The story Run for the Trees was very appropriate.  The language was appropriate.  Other students will get a lot out of this programme.  We did the self esteem unit and this unit will be good for young people.  Some of the story lines and issues will be good for young people as they might come across some of this as they grow up.  The language used is used in everyday life.  The activities and questions at the end of each chapter were really helpful and I could relate to quite a few things and I found ways to deal with issues I didn’t know I could.  It was really good that the facilitator and other students were really supportive and understanding.  If any of us ever felt uncomfortable about doing anything we were not made to do it.  I got a lot out of the programme but I feel that Run for the Trees deals with real life issues that other people can or will relate to.  I didn’t find anything wrong with this programme I think it will be very helpful to other people that do this programme. - Adult Student

 

 

I didn’t know what to expect when I put my name down for DARE to be You.  The start of the story was easy and was interesting.  The story itself had serious, funny and certain issues you had to think about.  You could imagine what was happening every stop.  I found each chapter had meaning, especially when I had to do the activities that went with it.  They made me think about myself and what I would do in that situation.  Well written with New Zealand language and our way of life – like the ferry crossing or being in an animal truck, the certain way the story came across in places.  It was good to have a New Zealand story with so many up and downs in it.  Keep you hanging on every word.  Run for the Trees was a story that I could follow every step and imagine being there and had a New Zealand feel about it.  If in the future my children could listen to themselves do this programme I would be happy for them to do so.  Some people might not like some parts but it is up to EACH person to come to that themselves, can’t please everyone.  Overall hands up for a good and well written story, and hope other children and adults get a chance to listen and do the activities that go with it.  - Adult student

 

 

I enjoyed DARE to be You.  Mandy’s book Run for the Trees impressed me … real kiwiana written by a Kiwi for New Zealanders I could relate to certain things that were in the book … it is a book that could be modified depending on what age group you were presenting it to.  I had no problem with the modules and its questions as they related to real life and things that you find out there in the real world.  The programme was put across in a way that you could understand and everyone’s point was taken into account.  Mandy’s book Run for the Trees will be more suited to young adults and children – being set in New Zealand.  As for the words in Run for the Trees they are words that children and adults alike hear in everyday life.  This programme has really helped me believe in myself.  I wish the DARE to be You programme all the best for the future … it is a great programme – so come on, give others the chance to do the Dare to be You programme. - Adult student