Darius needs help to realise his dreams
Darius is a talented little boy with big dreams.
The 10-year-old lives in South Auckland with his sister Kaya, 12, and mother Bobbi-Jo.
His family is seeking sponsorship for him through Variety - the Children’s Charity, so he can pursue his sporting goals.
The organisation does not publicly disclose a child’s surname or identify the school they attend to respect their privacy.
Darius dreams of becoming an All Black and playing for New Zealand’s Olympics sevens team.
He won an award for scoring the most tries for his rugby club and is his school team’s star player. Bobbi-Jo, who’s a solo mum, says sporting talent runs in the family.
‘‘His grandad was a wellknown Kiwi [league representative] and so was his great-uncle. Darius is so fast he wins athletics races too.
‘‘We’ve been able to get him what he needs but as the kids grow older … they go through more clothes and shoes. It’s hard to keep up, which is why we’ve applied for sponsorship.’’
The family struggles to afford the gear Darius needs for sport as well as everyday life, such as shoes, socks and school equipment.
Bobbi-Jo says she’s facing rising expenses, even at the low decile schools her children attend.
‘‘The kids wear out shoes like you wouldn’t believe,’’ she says. ’’I told them they get $20 each for school shoes for the year.’’ Variety chief executive officer Lorraine Taylor says the charity has 350 Auckland children who urgently need support on its sponsorship waiting list.
Of the 2800 sponsored children already in the programme, 367 are from South Auckland, she says.
‘‘Kiwi Kid Sponsorship is about giving every New Zealand child opportunities and choices in life.
‘‘Talented kids like Darius could be next generation All Blacks, Silver Ferns and Black Caps. We’re here to see they have every chance to achieve their potential.’’
The Kiwi Kid Sponsorship programme connects children living in deprivation with a sponsor who can help fulfil their basic needs.
Sponsors pay a minimum of $45 a month to fund basic essentials the family cannot afford. Go to variety.org.nz or phone 520 4111 for more information on the programme.