When Rex was matched with his Big Buddy, Kalv, he was a young boy navigating life after the loss of his father, who had tragically passed away in a boating accident several years earlier.
Like many boys in the Big Buddy programme, Rex didn’t need someone to replace his dad. What he needed was a positive male role model who could show up consistently, listen, encourage him, and simply spend time together.
What began as a mentoring match has grown into a genuine friendship that has lasted for years and continues to have a meaningful impact on both their lives.
Learning From Each Other
Over the years, Kalv and Rex have shared countless conversations, experiences, and laughs together. Through regular outings and everyday adventures, their relationship has grown naturally through trust and connection.
For Rex, one of the things that stands out most is what he’s learned from Kalv along the way.
“Kalv taught me a lot of things,” he says. “One thing I remember really well is that there were lots of things I didn’t know about vehicles, and you taught me a lot.”
But the lessons have gone far beyond practical skills. The friendship they have built has given Rex someone to learn from, spend time with, and rely on.
More Than Giving Back
When Kalv first became a Big Buddy, he was looking for a way to contribute to his community and make a positive difference in a young person’s life.
What he didn’t expect was how much the experience would change him, too.
“Mentoring has given me what I was looking for,” he says. “It’s really allowed me to grow as a person.”
For Kalv, mentoring has been an opportunity to give back, but it has also brought unexpected rewards.
“It was about having the ability to give something back to someone else, and mentoring is a great way of doing that.”
Then he reflects on something many Big Buddies come to realise.
“Sometimes I’m the one being mentored.”
Through his friendship with Rex, Kalv has gained new perspectives, learned new things, and discovered that mentoring is rarely a one-way street.
“I get to spend time with someone who’s very cool, very wise, and very clever. I learn lots of things too.”
The Power of Showing Up
One of the most powerful aspects of the Big Buddy programme is its simplicity.
It isn’t about having all the answers. It isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about showing up.
For Rex, having a trusted adult consistently present throughout his life has made a lasting difference. For Kalv, the relationship has provided purpose, perspective, and the chance to watch a young person grow into himself.
Together, they’ve built something much more than a mentoring match. They’ve built a friendship.
The Perfect Time Is Now
For anyone considering becoming a Big Buddy, Kalv has a simple message.
“There are lots of people out there who need positive people in their life.”
And if you’re waiting for the right moment to volunteer?
“Don’t hesitate. Just do it.”
Too often, people wait for life to become less busy or for the perfect opportunity to appear.
“You’re always looking for a perfect time,” Kalv says. “And there isn’t one. The perfect time is just now.”
Could You Be a Big Buddy?
Every day, boys across New Zealand are waiting for a positive male role model who can spend time with them, encourage them, and be a consistent presence in their lives.
As Kalv and Rex’s story shows, mentoring isn’t just about changing a young person’s life. It can change your own too.
If you’ve ever thought about becoming a Big Buddy, take Kalv’s advice.
Don’t wait for the perfect time.
The perfect time is now.
