Caleb Keeps Climbing
Caleb Hawkins is a young man on a mission. He’s setting goals and keeps climbing in all areas of his life, whether it’s with his achievements in swimming, soccer, songwriting, work or keeping active and enjoying the outdoors.
Originally from Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Caleb relocated with his parents and two brothers to New Zealand in 2014, just before his 12th birthday.
“It was kind of strange at first…everyone was really friendly,” says Caleb.
“It was different walking to school instead of driving like we did in South Africa because there’s lots more crime.”
Caleb has been with ConneXu for the past two years and is living in a ConneXu house with three other flatmates in Te Awamutu.
He works two-days-a-week at McDonalds Te Awamutu.
“This is my second job. I was at The Lucy Foundation before, grinding and packing coffee,” says Caleb.
“My brother worked at McDonalds….and I wanted to do more hours and get out of the house more often, so I got this job at McDonalds.”
“I am mostly working the lobby, making fries and working at the drive through window giving out food.”
“There are nice people there, but it’s funny I am one of the the oldest out of the employees. They are mostly younger teenagers who have just finished school.”
Outside of work, Caleb has excelled at Swimming, competing in the Regional Special Olympics.
“I started when I was 15 and compete in the freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke,” says Caleb.
“We’ve just had two tournaments in Tauranga in August and Auckland in September. I got 1st 2nd and 3rd places in Tauranga and 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th in Auckland.”
“My next goal is to qualify for the National Summer Games in Christchurch (happening in December 2025)”.
He also plays soccer in the Special Olympics and club rugby.
“I like to be active and outdoors. I do hiking, biking, camping and fishing. I’ve done the Hucks with my family before (the Hakarimata Summit Track which is an elevation of 374 m),” says Caleb.
“I like to be busy more than bored, so I like to do physical things and exercise.”
Caleb also has a creative side and writes song lyrics sometimes.
“I write my own songs lyrics on my computer…The words come in my head, and I just write it down, mostly from my past or how I feel,” says Caleb.
“Sometimes when I get depressed or sad, that’s what I do, to get my mind off it and make me happy. I share my songs with my staff sometimes and my friends…I like performing in front of people.”
Caleb says in the future, he’d like to live independently but remain with ConneXu.
“I’d like to live independently one day and in the future I’d like to have a girlfriend and get married,” says Caleb.
“My dream Job is in the New Zealand Navy. I’d like to be active and do something physical for my job.”
Keep climbing Caleb!
