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 male role model in their lives and while mothers do courageous work in the raising of 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; through modelling.

Big Buddy started in 1997 as a small, community-based social agency to address this issue
by recruiting and screening men, then matching them as life-long mentors to fatherless boys.
Since then they have developed a leading edge approach to recruiting men and have built a
rigorous screening process that all volunteers go through before they are accepted as
mentors.

The Big Buddy mentor contracts to spend at least two hours a week with a boy or adolescent
(Little Buddy, aged 7-12) for at least a year, though most established mentors say it’s for life.
They spend quality time together, doing ordinary things like kicking a ball round a park,
fishing, walking on the beach, fixing cars or simply hanging out together. The content of the
outings is not important - just showing up regularly and listening to a Little Buddy is probably
the most important gift a Big Buddy gives. A regular weekly phone call adds continuity to the
relationship.

The programme currently covers the Auckland, Rodney and Wellington regions of New Zealand but due to increasing demand - expansion of the programme is underway to eventually cover all of New Zealand.

What some mother’s say about Big Buddy

Sarah -  “I’m ecstatic that Rueben has a Big Buddy, he’s really changed, they really care about each other, they’re a great match. I’m pleased as punch!”

Cathy -  [my son] “… has a sense of belonging, a man who is his, he comes back talking about stuff he’s done…they have fun, do boy stuff, gets challenged and has boundaries created. I can’t speak more highly of our Big Buddy.”

“TechSoup's software donation programme is great, but to me the real value of TechSoup is the knowledge and advice I get from their web site. I think we have shown that technology can be put to great use in the non-profit arena, but without solid advice and knowledge it can be a curse rather than a gift. Resources like TechSoup are therefore a gift to non-profits like ours and I look forward to seeing the expansion of TechSoup in New Zealand”. Richard Aston Chief Executive – Big Buddy Mentoring Trust.

“I think TechSoup is fantastic. We have already received our first order of Microsoft product which is making a big difference to our in-house design work for resources and marketing” Richard Aston Chief Executive

Who are they?
Big Buddy Mentoring Trust
Where are they?
Te Atahu South,
Northshore/Rodney
Wellington,
What do they do?
Big Buddy matches male mentors with boys who do not have a father or male role model in their lives.
What did they receive?
Microsoft Professional Plus 2007 and Expression Design
The Outcome?
“We have upgraded to Professional plus and the design software means we can now do high quality design work for our publications, ID cards and other communications needs in-house. Richard Aston