How one good samaritan is changing childrens' lives

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Wed, 03 Aug 2011 7:00p.m.

School breakfasts are getting Kiwi kids ready for the day

School breakfasts are getting Kiwi kids ready for the day

In a week of scary statistics and mind-boggling numbers coming out of the US, here's an equally scary local one: 83,000.

That's the number of Kiwi children that sometimes or always miss breakfast before school.

Research by the Ministry of Health and the New Zealand Herald suggests roughly 20 percent of families with children run out of money for food - so who's helping to feed our kids?

Tristram Clayton went to a school in South Auckland where more than half the roll eats breakfast at school every morning.

Watch the video for the full report

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Comments

21 Aug 2011 08:52p.m.

MINDA wrote:

Did you ask the parents of these children to be on t.v?? I think NOT, I know these children & I also know some of them got in trouble for saying stuff on NATIONAL t.v that was NOT TRUE!!! You have bought shame to some of these children's families and the lady that you were interviewing was her first time in the school, you did not even talk to the people that are there every day of every week so that is B.S that you have her interviewing when she would not even know the names of ANY of them children. If my child was on there I would be taking you to court over this.

05 Aug 2011 01:11p.m.

Roline wrote:

I take my hat off to Bronca. I come from another country and lived in NZ for 14 years. I have noticed how many millions of dollars go overseas to hungry children (which is GREAT) but was always concerned about the fact that we have very hungry children in our own beautiful country. I dont believe we do enough for our own. I don't condemn any help overseas but I strongly believe we can do so much more for our own and Bronca deserves every bit of help she can get. I am volunteering to help in some small way, even if just a few dollars a month. It will give me immense pleasure knowing that I have helped one child getting a descent meal. This is where we live and where we should spend our time and money to help those in need first and foremost. This IS our community and IS our problem!

04 Aug 2011 10:11p.m.

Dave Padfield wrote:

Anyone interested in helping Bronca please go to www.pcst.org.nz for full contact information. 100% of the all the funds Bronca and her team receive go direct to the kids. I guarantee this as Chairman of the Board

04 Aug 2011 06:27p.m.

Graham Hunter wrote:

Hi John, I watched your program with interest last night. I must tell you that many kids that pass my place discard their cut lunches to the eager seagulls in the middle of the road. This happens regularly and these kids have to pass a new block of shops on the way to school, so I can only presume these kids are going to purchase pies etc. The new shops are opposite the school (Edmund Hillary) and also Mansell Senior School. I had to tell some kids not to throw their food over my fence to my dog, as I want to know what he eats. So there is many kids that are well fed and maybe telling porkies about the truth. I live in this area so I know what I am talking about. Thanks Graham

04 Aug 2011 02:44p.m.

Vicki Robinson wrote:

Im Vicki a dietician working in Public Health. It was not surprise to see this story highlighting the isssue that many NZ children go hungry every day. Evidence of the difficulties for low inclome families to acces a healthy diet is available on the below link.
http://www.regionalpublichealth.org.nz/Resource.aspx?ID=8215


04 Aug 2011 01:52p.m.

SF wrote:

Bronca, Im just wondering why your school isn't part of the Kick-start breakfast programme or receiving any help from KidsCan??? Surely it would qualify? I know kick-start still relies on donations from other companies etc.? And I too was curious whether the kids featured on Campbell Live had parents permission to appear on TV?

04 Aug 2011 12:27p.m.

Danny wrote:

Dont you need parents permission to film and interview their children I have lived away from NZ for some 20 years now but am sure our right to protect our children is still very much in place. The questions asked of these kids were astonishing I see comments above like "those small kids dont lie" and think 'spoken like a true non-parent' kids dont lie they embellish, an example, A kid wanted 10 weetbix but with 6 other children to feed they are only allowed 1 or 2 so when asked by a reporter is there enough food at home that child will likely say no. Whilst the issue is concerning I would like to think reporters would have shown some restraint from exploiting our children for the sake of a good story.

04 Aug 2011 11:10a.m.

Bronca Fox wrote:

Hi again. I have never and will never turn children away. Angelslight is more than feeding hungry tummies. We nurture these children and give them a positive start to the day, both emotionally and physically. We use love to instill good practices and values such as using their manners, sitting while eating, removing hats, washings hands, saying grace etc. We are often amazed at the longing these children have for friendly and loving conversations with adults. If you would like to know more information or would like to donate your time or money you an go on our website www.pcst.org.nz or contact me personally on broncadion@hotmail.com or 02102432581. Thanks for listening. God bless.

04 Aug 2011 10:53a.m.

Bronca Fox wrote:

Hi all. Wow, it sounds like a debate is beginning. Is there bad, neglectful parents in NZ? Yes there are and I must say from all ethic groups. The school shown on Campbel Live has a high role of Maori children but this does not in any way represent the whole picture and I could get into that discussion but I wont. There are MANY different reasons why these children are hungry, and there are many good parents who are struggling financially through not fault of their own.I have hundreds of stories to tell about the lives of these children but I don't have the time or space to go into this. I,m a Christian, I do this because God tells me to. We have chosen to live in a Godless society, what can we expect, this is not the way it should be. We are great at living in our own little boxes but I believe we are relational beings and our community is exactly that OUR COMMUNITY. If someone is struggling is it solely their responsibility or should we be loving and reach out. My community is my family. You can argue that but have fun trying to change my mind. I chose 10 years ago to do something to help these children. While people sit and analise why this is happening or say its a government problem or its useless parents or the many other negitive and frankly unhelpfull comments these children still suffer the consequences of our present society. There is so much hopelessness invading peoples lives and life can be very hard and meaningless. My husband and I have 5 children and we made the decision that I would be a stay at home mum, so we survive on one income and I can honestly say its tough but we have God, thousands don't and I can say 100% my life would be a mess without him in it. So to all the sceptics, I will keep on feeding these children because they are our future, I will continue to love and nuture them and you can go out into the community and solve the many problems that these people face day after day. Life is not black and white.

04 Aug 2011 10:05a.m.

Janet Xuccoa wrote:

anyone wanting to donate to help the children please contact Janet Xuccoa at Gilligan Rowe & Associates on (09) 522 7955 or jx@gra.co.nz

all support will be very much appreciated by the children