City Mission’s poverty mission for children
By: Britany Dyke
Child poverty in New Zealand is increasing severely, and it is in the hands of New Zealanders to change the way children in poverty are living.
Research from Every Child Counts organisation compiled a recent report that proved one in four children in New Zealand are living on the poverty line. This ranked New Zealand at 28 out of 30 countries in the developed world.
“Absolutely, it’s increasing” said Irene Rama, City Mission team leader, on the number of children in poverty.
“I wouldn’t be able to give you a figure but we certainly see increases where big families are living with more than one family to a household.”
Rama knows poverty like the back of her hand and says the numbers of those on the poverty line are increasing rapidly and something needs to be done.
“People on the poverty line; they don’t actually feel that they’re poor or that they’re on the poverty line, because they have nothing. So when you’ve got nothing, it’s just the same old.”
New Zealand prime minister John Key commented in the NZ Herald in February this year; Key put food that insecurities were down to lifestyle choice.
Key says, “But it is also true that anyone on a benefit actually has a lifestyle choice. If one budgets properly, one can pay one’s bill.”
When asked about Key’s sheer comments, Rama replied “Absolutely not, no one chooses to live that lifestyle. If they could get out of that poverty line, they would.”
“If they’re living on a benefit they’re living on a poverty line. There’s no doubt about that at all.”
It is now New Zealand’s turn to show their generosity and support the families who need help. Donations of clothing, shoes and food are greatly accepted at non for profit organisations such as the City Mission.
“The generosity is amazing, there is a lot,” says Rama.
“People give so generously but without that we wouldn’t be able to do the work we do and it’s that simple”
City Mission last month handed out roughly 860 food parcels, which helped to feed around 800 families.
“Food is a big big thing.” Said Rama
Although food is needed at City Mission to help out families with children, giving out food and clothes is not all the City Mission does.
Rama says, “The bottom line is there’s usually another cause and if we can keep digging and finding that cause, we’re able to find out where we can really help.”
Social workers and staff at City Mission provide advice and give further help to those who need it. Whether it is families or individuals that are in poverty or experiencing problems that need direct attention, City Mission are able to help.
This year, City Mission are planning a programme called Family 100. They will take on 100 families and support them until all 100 families are out of debt.
“They will get food once a fortnight, they’ll get follow up treatment, and they’ll get to work with a social worker.”
Rama says this is a great incentive for New Zealanders to donate and help out those who need it in their communities.
If you want to get involved, txt HELP to 305 to make a $3 donation. Or drop off non perishable food or clothing to City Mission, 140 Hobson Street, Auckland.
Together with the generosity of people and the determination of City Mission, child poverty can start to decrease instead of continuing to increase and soon, fewer children will be living in poverty.