Transformed by God’s love: AJ’s story

When AJ was in primary school, he was hanging out with the wrong crowd, back-chatting teachers, and he’d been suspended and almost expelled from school. 

But we know that God’s hand is never too short to save those in need of his transforming love. 

“My mum was a single parent, and when we moved to Australia from Fiji, we didn’t have family around. It was just me and mum. I remember getting pretty angry about it – I didn’t like it here,” says AJ. 

“I was the naughty kid at school. I was always hanging out with my friends and we were considered outcasts. Teachers would get angry at us and we’d backchat them and things would escalate.”

Then AJ met his school chaplain, Carlos. 

AJ was among a group of Grade 5 boys who had been nominated for an early intervention and prevention program SU was running called ‘Connect’ for young people in need of an extra layer of support. 

“When I first met AJ, he was struggling academically, and with behaviour, understanding cultural norms and how to communicate with his teachers. I started working with him in 1:1’s and catching up with him on the playground,” recalls Carlos.

“AJ really took to the program. He loved going to the camps that were run as part of it. When he saw there were people who cared about him, he was willing to put the effort into his academic work,” says Carlos. 

Like many chaplains, Carlos was more than just a safe person to offer a friendly and non-judgemental listening ear; he advocated for AJ too.

“I’d have conversations with his teachers, explaining where he was coming from and reassuring them that he wanted to try, but he didn’t have the skills at the time to do what they wanted him to do.”

After high school, AJ was keen to engage with SU and its camping program. Fast forward to today and he’s now leading on camps, serving as a role model for other young people. 

“He’s been able to share his own story with other kids who might be in a similar situation to where he was a few years ago. His story is extremely encouraging,” says Carlos.

For AJ, his journey turned a corner when he met his school chaplain and realised he had an advocate who saw his willingness to change, even if others couldn’t see it at the time. Thank you for giving our young people advocates in the schoolyard, who can see them through God’s eyes. Your support literally changes lives. 

“Those camps changed me. I learnt more about myself and what I could do, and I learned about Jesus. It shaped me into the person I am today,” says AJ.

“Now, as a leader on SU Camps, I’m able to relate to the young people, because I’ve walked through some of the situations they’ve been in. When I was younger, I thought that I would probably end up in jail. Now things have totally changed.”

“I think a lot of kids nowadays don’t have someone they can talk to. When I was younger, I knew I could talk to Carlos. He understood me and he believed in me.”

AJ’s story is one of incredible transformation, and it’s only made possible because of big-hearted friends like you. You can help continue this vital work. Visit su.org.au/donate today.