Institute process empowers Kaitī youth

Institute process empowers Kaitī youth

In Kaitī, a suburb of Gisborne, a transformation is gradually taking place as youth engage with the Bahá'í institute process. This rhythm of youth spaces, comprised of study circles, junior youth groups, children’s classes, service projects, devotionals, and other community events is creating the foundations for a vibrant community.

The impact of these activities in Kaitī has been shared first-hand by the youth themselves. Many have expressed how the institute process has created a sense of whanaungatanga, or kinship, outside their own homes, helping to establish bonds of love and friendship within their community. “I felt spiritually connected when I was praying, and I felt more confident,” shared one youth, who credits the experience with helping them overcome fears and building leadership skills.

These institute activities are enriching individual lives by aligning them with Bahá’u’lláh’s vision of humanity’s oneness and collective progress. Youth in attendance have described how the Teachings and environment have inspired them to make positive lifestyle changes, to “align [their] lifestyle to the Writings,” and to think more deeply about their purpose. Many find themselves experiencing a unique blend of spiritual and practical development, recognising that their personal growth is directly tied to their contributions to the community.

Another young participant reflected, “It has helped me step out of my comfort zone and made me want to experience more in life.” Through studying Ruhi Institute books and participating in junior youth groups and devotionals, these young people are gaining tools to address life’s challenges with maturity. One individual described how they now approach conflicts calmly and “walk away from situations when they get out of hand,” thanks to lessons in the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Programme material. For many, this has fostered an appreciation for balancing taha hinengaro (mental well-being), taha wairua (spiritual well-being), taha tinana (physical well-being), and taha whānau (family well-being)—each being integral parts of their identity and future.

The sense of community extends through to intensive study camps during school holidays, service projects, and Friday evening devotionals, where youth find a “spiritual lifeline” that strengthens their spirit and determination. These camps, now a much anticipated and familiar part of the rhythm of community life, allow the youth to gather, reflect, and build strong bonds of friendship. “Each camp leaves us waiting eagerly for the next one,” shared a participant, highlighting the bonds they’ve developed with their peers. These gatherings have taught them patience, teamwork, and how to be mutually supportive to one another and their communities. One of the organisers, shared “There’s something vibrant about how the community engages with the institute process, and the more involved youth are, the more they seem to value that connection. The camps, in particular, create a space where youth can engage with each other and with the Faith in a profound way, strengthening their commitment.”

The junior youth collaborated on a service project, creating a vibrant and colourful mural.

Participants shared insights and reflections at the end of a meaningful Noho Marae experience in Māhia.

An uplifting devotional meeting took place at a friend’s home in Kaitī.

A vibrant community event in Kaitī focused on developing service skills. Participants enjoyed devotions, shared nutritious kai, and engaged in fun games with neighbourhood children.

A pōwhiri was held at Te Rākatō Marae in Māhia, featuring the stunning whale bone waharoa.

Friends gathered for an outdoor devotional gathering at a home near Kaitī.

As the institute activities continue, participants are inspired to be more hopeful and proactive. Some speak of the “hope for the future” they feel, thanks to the shared vision that binds them. The institute process, like a “pruning tool” that nurtures a garden, as one youth described it, equips them with the skills and spiritual tools needed for growth.

This unfolding process taking shape in Kaitī demonstrates the power of the Bahá’í institute process to contribute to creating vibrant communities anchored by spiritual concepts. It is a process that calls on youth to make practical contributions to their community and also uplift and kindle its spirit. As one participant eloquently put it, “Basically everyone benefits from having a vehicle of service. Everyone has something they can contribute, no matter how small, and that is what will grow communities.” This shared purpose is paving the way for a bright future in Kaitī and indeed, throughout the world.

Feature Photo: The junior youth worked on a service project to beautify their surroundings. The mural, featuring the message "Never give up on your dreams," was a creative idea from one of the participants.


A letter from the heart: Reflections on serving in Kaitī

The following letter comes from a recent declarant serving in Kaitī, who has immersed himself in youth activities and community-building efforts. Deeply inspired, he shares his experiences and reflections with his parents, offering a glimpse into the unfolding of Bahá’u’lláh’s vision for humanity.

Dear Mum and Dad,

I hope this letter finds you both in good health. I wanted to take a moment to express my love for you and share more about the work I’ve been involved in with my dear friends over the past few years. My hope is that these words will help you feel more connected to our efforts and the potential we have chosen to dedicate our lives to in service.

We find ourselves in a time that often feels heavy with uncertainty. Wherever we look, doubts and challenges seem to rise, and the news of warfare and political unrest is heartbreaking. Even here in the South Pacific, we sense a growing unease in our neighbourhoods and workplaces as living costs rise and job security becomes more fragile. It feels as if we are all adrift in a tumultuous sea of conflicting ideologies, where the vulnerable are often left to struggle in the cold waters.

Time, however, is full of mysteries. I’m reminded of the cycles of the tide that wash the shores of Onepoto, the stretch of beach just beyond Titirangi maunga from where we live. Unlike its name, “Short Sand,” this beach belies a deep significance in the history of Aotearoa. These sands have witnessed the arrival of ancestral waka and the first steps of wise wayfarers guided by the stars. They have also seen bloodshed in the struggles of the past, marked by the biting bullets of British Endeavour.

Yet, when the tide turns and the crimson stains are washed away in the salty water, the beauty and diversity of Creation’s expression is left furrowed and bare. The noble, cloaked hills of ‘Poverty Bay’ stand cold and crumbling, waterways clogged with log corpses and sedimentation. Square-grid, quarter-acre sections mimic factory assemblage and classroom desk formations. The tall, straight fences of separation hold strong within entrenched prejudice and party line.

A little while ago I heard an intriguing story. There once was a man who flew vast miles, soaring the skies upon the back of a great albatross. With him he carried a humble kumara. From the wing of this mighty bird, he plucked two feathers and letting them drop he watched as they floated from these heights. One of the feathers so happened to fall to the ocean below and where it landed in the waters grew a single tree.

I liked this story. It spoke to me of hope. A hope that I feel when I see a seedling reaching for the Light. The hope of a youth to believe that they have value and purpose in their life. The seed of hope which can grow a great forest. A Hope with the power to ignite our hearts.

This is why we serve. Much of our work in the neighbourhood revolves around an educational sequence designed to support the spiritual and material development of participants, from children’s classes to post-graduate university levels. Nearly all the participants and tutors live within a few blocks of each other in our Kaiti suburb. Each week, we gather the junior youth from their homes and engage in a variety of activities—from studying texts and creating art to learning songs, sharing meals, and participating in community service. We’ve painted murals, cleaned up the river, planted seedlings in the community garden, and helped elders with firewood, all while fostering a spirit of devotion through prayer and reflection. The texts we study are wonderful, helping participants develop a moral lens for navigating life. They link spiritual concepts like justice and the eternal nature of the soul with language comprehension and critical thinking skills. Similarly, classes for children and youth are held weekly in homes around the neighbourhood.

Much of our recent progress and unity of vision can be attributed to the quarterly intensive study spaces we host during each school holiday. We travel to Te Rākatō marae in Mahia, spending five days in group study and creative activities. The incorporation of tikanga and Te Reo Māori in these gatherings adds depth to our spiritual development. In spaces like marae, designed for collective living and learning, one can feel an essence of the potential for unity and cooperation which could be achieved with the continuation of such efforts.

Some of the fruits of our labour are already apparent. Former participants are returning to serve as tutors themselves, valuing their experiences and wanting to empower others to walk this shared path of service. The number of youth who choose to spend their Friday evenings in devotional spaces—praying, singing, and being with friends—speaks to a spiritual vitality that continues to strengthen and attract others.

All of this is made possible through the systematic and concerted efforts of devoted individuals. While our expression in Kaiti is unique in its specific context, our vision for humanity’s transformation toward peace and unity is shared worldwide. This educational process is unfolding in urban and rural settings, neighbourhoods, and villages, in homes and schools across the globe. A fresh tide is rising in the consciousness of humanity, and all are welcome in this journey toward peace. Every effort to unify aids in the progress of this mighty Cause.

You are always in my prayers.

With love,
Your son


Video: Māhia Rangatahi Noho

This video features rangatahi involved in the institute process. They share reflections and describe the powerful lessons, connections and inspirations they gained from Noho that took place in Māhia during January and April of 2024.

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Shrine of the Báb: Recent work at the Shrine completed

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