KidsCan Announces 'In Our Own Backyard', New Zealand Child Sponsorship Programme

The KidsCan Charitable Trust today announced the re-launch of ‘In Our Own Backyard’, New Zealand’s first child sponsorship programme. Introduced as a direct response to the increasing levels of child poverty in our own backyard, the programme enables caring Kiwis to offer ongoing financial support to disadvantaged Kiwi children, 100% of which will be used to provide the basics they are missing out on such as, warm clothing, shoes, food at school, basic stationery packs and hygiene items.

For just $15 a month (less than 50 cents a day) New Zealanders can now sponsor local children, removing the physical barriers preventing them from getting the most out of their education. Since August 2005, KidsCan has been working with New Zealand businesses, community groups and the National Government to help children living in poverty, and today the charity is based in more than 200 low decile schools in 13 regions across New Zealand.

Each year generous Kiwis donate over $100 million to offshore charities, but the need for a local sponsorship initiative was very apparent to KidsCan CEO, Julie Helson. She says, “Unfortunately in New Zealand, thousands of children live their lives in deprivation, going without the basics most of us take for granted - three meals a day, suitable clothing and adequate heating and access to medication for illness. For these children, it means getting sicker more often, shortened life expectancy, poor nutritional status and even sometimes having to resort to stealing food because they are so hungry.”

KidsCan is encouraging individuals and corporates who are financially able to get behind this local initiative to do so. Supporters will receive regular information on how their donations are making a difference, including updates from children who benefit on their interests, hobbies and favourite subjects at school.

Principal of Miller Avenue Primary School in Paeroa, Kaye Ferguson says, “People don’t think that in New Zealand we have children with limited access to food, shoes or ways to keep warm. What they don’t know is at schools right across the country, there are many families under stress because they just can’t make ends meet. It’s difficult for these children to learn when their tummy is grumbling or when they are shivering cold!”

To sign up to become a supporter, please visit www.kidscan.org.nz. Just $15 a month provides the basics for a child less fortunate and 100% of the monthly donations benefit New Zealand children in need.