Why Vijay chose to work for Good Shepherd NZ
October 9, 2023
A lack of support for people struggling financially, concern about people being exploited and his drive for justice and good are what influenced Vijay to join Good Shepherd NZ as a Loan Worker. Now, over three years later, his passion and drive are still guiding him.
Vijay says being born in Fiji, raised in New Zealand, and being part of the LBGTQ+ community, have helped him relate to people who feel vulnerable and on the outside.
A lack of support for people struggling financially, concern about people being exploited and his drive for justice and good are what influenced Vijay to join Good Shepherd NZ as a Loan Worker. Now, over three years later, his passion and drive are still guiding him.
Vijay came to us as part of a big career change after seeing the unfairness and injustice in the financial capabilities team he was working in at a financial institution in Australia. He decided he wanted to effect real change in his work.
Vijay knows first-hand what it’s like to rack up debt without much understanding of what the consequences are; during university he was constantly in overdraft and had maxed out his first credit card.
“While I was at university, everyone was in overdraft, everyone was taking out student loans, everyone had a credit card, so you think it’s normal and it’s okay – well this isn’t the case. People struggle to pay off student loans and credit cards and being in overdraft can be dangerous.”
He was one of our first phone-based Loan Workers and is now Manager – Client Engagement & Good Loans.
In his management role he wanted to build a diverse team, so he was able to support as many clients as possible. His team now have a range of ages, ethnicities, genders and can speak multiple languages – from his experience, breaking down those barriers is impactful for clients.
One of the other areas Vijay tell us he is passionate about is building trusted relationships with other organisations. Sometimes we are contacted by clients in situations where they need other forms of assistance that are outside our services; knowing who can step in at that time means more clients are being supported.
“The more people we have on the ground working together, the more people we can help.”
In addition to his work with Good Shepherd NZ, Vijay is Area Coordinator for Pink Ribbon Appeal for New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, Auckland City and Treasurer on the Board of Trustees for MAR Colombia, a co-operative and collaborative Trust to help former refugees and immigrants living in Southland.
Vijay’s empathy, passion for justice and protecting vulnerable people comes through so naturally. It’s clear that he loves what he does.
“E sega ni madua na kere veivuke ka keimami na sega ni vakalewai kemuni baleta ni sa tiko talega vei keimami na veika keimami sa sotava. Oqo na vuna e vuqa vei keda eda tiko ena Good Shepherd NZ – eda kila na kena irairai.”
“There is no shame in asking for help and we won’t judge you because we have our own experiences as well. It’s why most of us are at Good Shepherd NZ – we know what it’s like.”
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