34 children attend first Child Friendly Space in earthquake struck town of Kaikoura

Thirty four children are joining in the fun at the country’s first Child Friendly Space, opened today by Save the Children in Kaikoura following last week’s devastating earthquake.

Some schools in Kaikoura are still closed leaving children without the routine and structure of attending school.

In a first for New Zealand, Save the Children staff and volunteers have opened the Child Friendly Space space today at Kaikoura Primary School in Torquay Street, where school-aged children can come during the day to play and forget about the stresses and strains associated with the earthquake.

Ten children enrolled in the space this morning and another 24 children took part this afternoon. Children are supervised by Save the Children staff and trained volunteers and it’s a safe place where children can play and forget about the stresses and strains associated with the earthquake. It’s the first time a Child Friendly Space has been opened during a disaster in New Zealand and it will stay open until all schools reopen in Kaikoura.

Spokesperson Melanie Patterson says the response from the community has been very welcoming. “Parents and caregivers really appreciate being able to get a rest, or take care of things at home, knowing their children are being well looked after. We expect more children to enrol as word gets out that Save the Children is operating here.”

Save the Children runs Child Friendly Spaces throughout the world in disasters and in conflict zones. It's the first time one has operated in New Zealand and Ms Patterson says the initiative to set one up now has been well received by Civil Defence and the Red Cross. Save the Children plans to operate child friendly spaces whenever and wherever needed during a major disaster in New Zealand because children are particularly vulnerable during disasters.

"Disasters can cause children significant stress because they aren't able to understand or rationalise why disasters happen the same way adults can. It's really important to help children feel safe. That's why we want to see child friendly spaces as just a normal part of this country's emergency response."

Save the Children is coordinating its response with Civil Defence.

Melanie Patterson will be available for interviews in Kaikoura. Melanie Patterson is child psychologist with expertise with children in trauma.

More than 40 volunteers have been trained around the country and Save the Children aims to offer child friendly spaces whenever and wherever a major disaster strikes in New Zealand. All volunteers have been police vetted and are fully trained on Child Friendly Space practices.

To read our latest blog about what it’s like on the ground go to…

https://savethechildrennzblog.wordpress.com/2016/11/19/save-the-children-deploys-staff-to-kaikoura/

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