Parents seek charity for school basics

A CHARITY is crying out for donors as poverty-stricken parents seek sponsorship for back-toschool costs for their children.

More than 180 applications have been made for Kiwi Kid sponsorship so far this year, and Variety – The Children’s Charity needs more sponsors.

There were already 705 children receiving financial support nationwide in its first year, much like that offered to children in third world countries via World Vision.

In Wellington, 17 children are still awaiting help with another 15 already receiving some financial assistance. The charity claims the small numbers, particularly compared to Christchurch where 116 kids are receiving support, is down to low awareness not low demand.

In Canterbury, social worker Angela Swinney believes the cost of living has become ‘‘extreme’’, forcing families to reach out for help supporting their children.

Variety chief executive Lorraine Taylor was calling for more sponsors to ‘‘level the playing field’’ for children going to school.

’‘What we’re seeing is a growing divide between the haves and the have nots. The need is definitely there.’’

Sponsors paid at least $35 a month, with 20 per cent going towards administration costs.

A sponsored child could receive $336 a year if deemed eligible, usually paid directly to providers for school camps, uniforms, stationery, extracurricular activities, clothing, and health needs.

Sponsorship lasted until the age of 18, as long as parents could prove their need still existed every year.

Businesses often did collections to sponsor, and some families sponsored children so their kids could realise there were others not doing so well, especially in Canterbury, she said.

‘‘People really want to help and appreciate that there are still people struggling.’’

Sponsors got updates on their sponsored child’s progress, along with photos and a first name.

Not having basics created ‘‘barriers’’ since parents often kept their children from starting until they could provide ‘‘just the same as other kids in the classroom’’.

Swinney, a Birthright field worker, said many single Canterbury parents needed financial support now more than ever.

About half of its 162 clients received Kiwi Kid sponsorship.

Uniforms could cost about $400, stationery about $40, and about $135 was needed for school camps in the first week of school.

The most common need among families was for warm clothing, bedding, and back-to-school basics, especially with the rise in living costs and rent in Christchurch, she said.

According to Children’s Commissioner Russell Wills, there were 265,000 Kiwi children living in poverty.