In June I visited KidsCan partner schools in Wellington and Northland to talk with the principals and teachers about the ongoing issues their children face and how KidsCan programmes are making a difference.

One of the common themes discussed is how poverty in New Zealand is invisible to most people. In New Zealand poverty exists in pockets and you don’t really see it unless you live in those areas or work with the organisations who do. In the short space of two years we have gone from 200,000 Kiwi kids living in poverty to 270,000 and the situation does not seem to be getting better. It’s easy to talk about the big numbers, but what does this actually mean for the children who are deprived of the basics that most of us take for granted?

In real terms it means they experience food insecurity on a regular, if not daily, basis. This ranges from not having sufficient food, experiencing hunger as a result of their family running out of food and being unable to afford more, and eating a poor quality diet as a result of limited food options.

It means if you are a little girl and you get nits, your head could be shaved as your parents can’t afford the treatment which can be costly. I have personally seen many young girls who have had their heads shaved and this has a huge impact on their already fragile self esteem.

At two of the schools I visited recently it was heart breaking to learn that many of the children there did not even know when they were born. Those that did know, did not celebrate their birthday with their families. Children in poverty also miss out on the things others more fortunate enjoy, like sport, school trips, and extracurricular activities.

This is just part of the reality of life for children that are disadvantaged in our own backyard, and it’s not a pretty picture. KidsCan is working hard to ensure that children have the basics they need to be able to go to school and learn like any other child.

Together with business, community and the government we are providing a hand up for children who would otherwise be forgotten. Just like you, the children we support have hopes and dreams. Together we can make a difference so these dreams are not so far out of their reach.