Variety CEO Urges Kiwis to Take Action Against Child Deprivation

This morning’s release of the second annual Child Poverty Monitor makes harrowing reading for New Zealanders concerned about the wellbeing of our children.

The report measures aspects of child deprivation such as income poverty, material hardship, and severity and persistence of child poverty. It highlights the significant negative effects on New Zealand children, educationally, socially, and health-wise.

Variety – The Children’s Charity CEO Lorraine Taylor is urging Kiwis to take action and become part of the solution to child deprivation:

“New Zealanders are shocked by the statistics in this report. It is shameful for us to accept that one in four Kiwi kids live in poverty.”

“Variety is offering people a way to proactively fight back for our children, who through no fault of their own, wake up to hardship every day.”

“Variety Kiwi Kid Sponsorship offers a tangible way for people to connect with a child and meet their individual needs. It’s about providing the basic essentials that remain out of reach – sheets for the bed, a schoolbag, medicine to help with a chest infection.”

When times are tough, struggling families aren’t able to provide their children with things most New Zealanders take for granted – like essential bedding, clothing, or a visit to the doctor when they’re sick. They struggle to pay for school uniforms and stationery, and children often miss out on school trips, sports, and other activities.

Variety Kiwi Kid Sponsorship connects New Zealanders, with Kiwi kids living in deprivation. Through this unique partnership, the specific needs of children in our community are met. Variety works alongside schools, social agencies and healthcare professionals to connect with Kiwi kids around the country who most urgently need help. For as little as $35 a month sponsors can help create a brighter future for a local child and watch their progress through regular updates.

Variety currently has over 100 children on its waiting list for Kiwi Kid Sponsorship with over 1160 already supported successfully through the programme. Just over 1015 people across New Zealand have signed up to be sponsors.

About Variety Kiwi Kid Sponsorship
• Children in need are referred by schools and specialist agencies.
• Sponsors pay a minimum of $35 a month to fund basics essentials the family cannot afford.
• Money given meets the specific needs of the child and is not used for other family bills.
• Variety makes all payments and channels all communication between sponsor and child.
• Sponsors receive updates about their child’s progress.
• For more information visit www.variety.org.nz or phone 09 520 4111

ENDS

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