Hi, my name is Sharaine Steenberg, and I am a Community Development Fanatic!

Over the past 17 years, I have been fortunate to live out my passion for vulnerable people through my work in the Community Development sector in various roles and communities. I have worked on different levels, from a hands-on entry-level Youth Worker to an Executive Manager with multiple staff and responsibilities, from a Minister in a congregation to a Social Enterprise entrepreneur.

My love for diverse communities started when I lived in a house for vulnerable teens in 2005. My role was “Housemother” in a place of safety for girls run by Echo Youth Development in Pretoria, South Africa. I learnt that no matter who you are or where you come from, we could collectively learn from one another and grow together. This experience with vulnerable youth also helped me stay in Community Development and not go into full-time ministry after completing my Master’s Degree in Theology, as many of my classmates did.

That decision took me on incredible adventures in Asset Based Community Development and Social Enterprise.

One of the highlights of my career was starting a Social Enterprise called Volition Holdings. This social enterprise was a community-led initiative, with the core business being a Community Recycling Centre (or Buyback Centre as we called it) in the inner city of Pretoria, South Africa. It was a great success, and I fell in love with the idea of doing business for purpose and not for profit.

Additionally, I am a mother of two girls, a boy, a cat and a wife to one 😉. When we moved from South Africa 5 years ago, my family and I settled in Blenheim. We’ll be moving into our new home in Omokoroa soon, and I can’t wait to be part of the wider Katikati community!

I am looking forward to living out this passion for Community-Led Development(CLD) and Social Enterprise with Katikati Taiao. I have already met so many inspirational people, and it is an honour for me to call this my new home!