Meet the families KidsCan is helping out

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Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:00a.m.

The Galo family

The Galo family

By Mike McRoberts

The charity to benefit from the Big Night In telethon is KidsCan, or Kids Can Stand Tall Charitable Trust, which already provides 28,000 children with shoes, raincoats and good food.

But tens of thousands of other children are on the waiting list, hoping for help.

3 News met one family who has benefited from the work of KidsCan, and hopes other families will be able to do so as well.

The Galo family of East Tamaki are doing it tough at the moment. Dad Peter lost his painting job three months ago, and the family of eight now survive on a benefit and some part time work by mum Tupe.

After the rent is paid they are left with less than $300 a week to pay the bills and buy food.

"Sometimes when money is tight we sit them down and we try to explain that you have to sacrifice," says Ms Galo. "'You will go to school with no lunch.'"

This is a good family, and proud. Ms Galo says it breaks her heart when they can't afford food. She recently learned her 12-year-old daughter has been saving her lunch money to help out.

"All that money that we give her weekly for her lunch she saves up for, for her shoes. As a parent we feel sometimes that we failed to provide them."

They are not alone. At Wymondley Rd Primary, with just over 200 pupils, nearly a third regularly have no lunch. Its principal says not to blame the parents. He says most are like the Galos - good families who are struggling.

"They don't sit back and do nothing about it, they're trying their best to support their children as much as they can with what little resources they have," says Tone Kolose. principal

Wymondley Rd Primary is a KidsCan school. Mr Kolose says the raincoats, shoes and lunches have greatly reduced non-attendance, and with the focus now on learning his school has the area's top literacy grades.

This week the recipients turned providers - pupils and parents came together for a 10km walkathon to raise money for the big night in.

"We've raised so far about $1000," says Mr Kolose. "That's pretty good for our small school. It's not $1,000,000 but it's something that's going to a great cause."

And these guys should know.

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Comments

16 May 2012 10:53a.m.

moana wrote:

This makes me sick all you people writing negative comments about this family who is doing everything in their will to get their children the best with what they have. I am a young teenager myself and Pacific Islander and palangi too. My parents are split and still find it hard to provide for 3 children they both have very good jobs too, which isn’t the problem. How can you all judge about how many children they have when it was there choice and they sure made a good one in my point?
You cant put a money value on family and children. Because they didn’t know the father was going to lose his job and not get one for 3months so far, they still try their hardest to make sure they provide food and shelter for their loving family and are just making it with leaving just a few lunches out. Imagen being in their shoes, they didn’t choose to lose their jobs, choose to not have enough money when a job caved in. Honestly I thought people in New Zealand were caring and had sympathy for others.. I guess I was wrong. Next time think twice before you judge others!!!

14 Aug 2009 07:29p.m.

Mike wrote:

I agree with Guy, the parents are idiots but it’s the children that suffer. These situations are frustrating but you can not punish the children for their parent’s mistakes.

13 Aug 2009 07:35p.m.

Jess wrote:

people that wrote negtive comments are just heartless

11 Aug 2009 12:59p.m.

karyn wrote:

Come on people,get real.This is not just affecting pacific island families.It is affecting everyone.All Pacific Island families I know work really hard to support their families.One or eight children,when you lose a full time wage from the budget you struggle.It is not about how many kids ect,it is about children in our country who are affected by poverty so get of your high horses.In this country we should have no children in this boat but it is a sign of the times.We need to band together to help all children.I get the feeling those complaining have never been in this pposition.My husband lost his job when our kids where young and boy did we struggmle.We didnt want to ask for help as felt like failures and we only had 2 kids.Not by choice,I couldnt have more.So stop feeling you are superior and help.This is N.Z. not Africa,no child should go without.We should look after our own children first as they are our future before helping other countries.I suppose those complaining help children overseas.Do you condem those perants.They know what situation they are bringing kids into.This isnt onlt NZ problem,it is global at the moment.You cant put a money value on family and children.If it hadnt been for the help when my husband lost his job our kids would have been hungry.This was 10 years ago.People dont ask to lose their jobs so no one should judge them when they hit the bottom.People in glass houses shouldnt throw stones.Those who think they are better as are not in this poition get up my nose.I take it they have never knowenthe joy of giving,only taking.This is supposed to be one country with one people and if we all have to band together to help those in need what is the problem.We dont evan have enough left this week for brad and milk but luckly our family have growen.It seems to be a country of those who have and those who dont.Those who dont have the richer life as they will help others,the others help no one but themselves.What does this teach their children

09 Aug 2009 05:39p.m.

jason wrote:

This whole thing is absolute crap - We have only 2 children and live comfortably, We would LOVE to have more kids, however we chose not too because we may not have been able to afford it. We have chosen to have only 2 kids and live comfortably. I pay so much tax it almost makes me sick. The drain on society and the dwindling amount of genuine tax payers is a huge concern. We not only pay huge tax but we pay again when visiting the GP, School fees, prescriptions etc etc. This kind of fundraising is rubbish as it creates more of a welfare state. Regards Jason

09 Aug 2009 08:28a.m.

Nyz wrote:

If the family had a moment on 60miutes to share there story.There wud b more insight on their daily living.Remember this was just a short clip.Until the Dad lost his job,they were ok to provide for their large family.
I went thru this when my partner lost his job,we had everything.It was such a struggle & we only had 1 child that we almost couldnt feed let alone ourselves.Bills,debt companies hounding us.It was hell!!3months of jobs here & there thru temp agencies was a help but still nt enuff 2 provide.Then the blessing cme,a well paying permanent job offer.3months of hardship,but it took @ least 3years to recover.So think again b4 judging families like this.I am pleased to say,i donated!!!!!

07 Aug 2009 07:27p.m.

Guy wrote:

Someone earlier said the situation is a drag on society. Not true. It's a slight financial drag, yes, but that's what events like Telethon are for - you don't have to donate if you don't want to, but some feel like they can help, and want to. The children are not to blame for the situation they are in. It's not a drag on society - society is not just about money. More people = more ideas, more variation, a richer society. Help them escape the situation their parents are in.

07 Aug 2009 07:09p.m.

Darren wrote:

Fair enough Guy - but i think you mistake jealously for frustration at the drag on society these types of situations create.

07 Aug 2009 07:04p.m.

Leigh wrote:

I want to know if the children in the video clip, who got out of the boot of the car were wearing seat belts?

07 Aug 2009 07:03p.m.

Lex wrote:

Darren how did they know he was going to lose his job??? he had one he lost it! can you predict that? should we all only have one child and live in fear of the "just in case"???? and as for the mother giving lunch money..... A parent on the message boards said that for $2 you can buy a lunch at her kids school that consists of a a sandwich or sub, a piece of fruit, a baked item and a pudding. On Fridays you can pay $3 for a hot lunch eg Mac cheese. They didn't say that all the kids had lunch money, and it could work out cheaper for her to buy her a good lunch like that, than buy the food to make it. maybe you need to ease up a little and pray you dont lose your job heaven forbid you could be judged just as harshly as you have judged this family!