Sponsor a Kiwi kid

The KidsCan Charitable Trust is re-launching “In Our Own Backyard”, New Zealand’s first child sponsorship programme. 
The programme was introduced as a direct response to increasing levels of child poverty in New Zealand, and enables caring Kiwis to offer ongoing financial support to disadvantaged Kiwi children, 100 per cent 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, and remove the physical barriers preventing them from getting the most out of their education.
Each year Kiwis donate more than $100 million to offshore charities, but the need for a local sponsorship initiative is very apparent says KidsCan CEO Julie Helson.  “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.  
To sign up to become a supporter, visit www.kidscan.org.nz . Just $15 a month provides the basics for a child less fortunate and 100 per cent of the monthly donations benefit New Zealand children in need.