Seidah Karati lives life to the full, and there is never a dull moment for the talented young woman.
A trained teacher with a Bachelor of Education, Seidah most recently taught at Aorere College in South Auckland.
However, her passion lies in dance and she is a professional dancer and experienced choreographer, involved in multiple projects where she collaborates with other dance professionals and companies.
So last year, Seidah made a decision which would have an impact on her future.
“I decided to put my teaching career on hold so I have time to invest in my dance career and other projects,” Seidah says.
In May 2018, Seidah enrolled in the Pacific Employment Support Service with provider Solomon Group to find full-time employment to better supplement her busy lifestyle.
Funded by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP), the key objective of the support service is to help young Pacific people find employment and complete further training or study; and reduce the number of Pacific young people aged 15-39 who are Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET).
This creates prosperity, as well as thriving, resilient and skilled young Pacific peoples –part of MPP’s Pacific Vision, and also a goal of Lalanga Fou.
Solomon Group is one of three providers in the Auckland/Hamilton area who motivate, train and match young people to jobs or education which best fit them, offering services such as career advice, CV design, coaching and interview skills.
Director Public Funding and Delivery for Solomon Group John Connell saysafter meeting with Seidah, it became clear she enjoys community-based projects and wanted a job which would connect her with different types of industries and organisations.
Not only has Seidah has participated at the World Hip Hop championships; but she has also been a judge at New Zealand Hip Hop competitions; and won a national title with the 3 Brownies dance crew – her skill set was already varied, John says.
So when a full time Co-Ordinator role came up at New Zealand’s perishable food rescuers Kiwi Harvest, and Solomon Group were contacted to see if they had any suitable candidates for it, Seidah sprang to mind.
“The role entailed linking with supermarkets and other businesses to redistribute excess good food, to nourish people in need,” John says.
“When profiling the opportunity to Seidah she indicated that this role would be very suitable and wanted to apply immediately.”
Seidah was referred to this opportunity and the feedback received from the interview by the Kiwi Harvest Manager was very positive, he adds.
After being offered the role, Seidah started at Kiwi Harvest in January and is thriving.
It has been a positive move for the creative, and Seidah has no regrets about putting teaching on-hold for the moment as she loves her role where she gets to interact with various people and organisations while also learning new skills.