Give 100 Disadvantaged Kiwi Kids a Good Future

This programme will transform the lives of 1,500 children in a disadvantaged community, illustrating that significant social change is possible. Our long term intention is to shape the Government’s education policy so that an intervention programme can be rolled out to all high needs children nationwide.

Please watch the video on this page.

It is based on the very successful pilot project in Mt Roskill, Auckland that has run since 2003 (see www.ihaveadream.org.nz ).

Most successful people had a person of influence in their childhood. Maybe it was a teacher who inspired you, an extended family member, or a sports coach. Even if your path was steep, there would have been a series of footholds: a Mum or Dad able to provide life’s essentials, family friends and networks that offered opportunities, extra-curricular activities and experiences to propel you towards bigger, brighter ideas.

Sometimes these harbingers of success are simply absent from a child’s life. About 17% of Kiwi kids go without these essential stepping stones.

Poverty is multi-faceted and often multi-generational, which means that families lack the resources and knowledge that enable full participation in society. Instead of footholds, those kids’ paths are full of cracks and chasms.

This programme helps young people bridge those gaps.

Every child needs a significant adult that believes in them and holds high hopes for them. The I Have a Dream Charitable Trust's goal with the Ngatahi Education Initiative is to provide that positive influence, not just for a moment, but throughout their entire educational journey.

This programme costs $1,000 per child per year, and I Have a Dream Charitable Trust will support each child from Year 1 through to Year 15, i.e., two years after High School, to ensure a successful transition into employment or tertiary study.

Can you help?

Your contribution will enable I Have a Dream Charitable Trust to assign a full-time longitudinal Navigator to every Year Group (approx. 100 children) across the 3 Primary Schools and 1 High School in the Tikipunga/Otangarei community in the northern suburbs of Whangarei.

I Have a Dream Charitable Trust welcome one-off donations to reach this campaign target ($100,000) to secure funds for 100 children for next year.

If you would be able to support a child on an ongoing basis, then please email us at info@ihaveadream.org.nz to discuss setting up an automatic payment. Many of our donors are doing this, and we really appreciate their commitment to this important project.

Please visit the “updates” tab of this fundraiser page to see the programme’s impact in the lives of our alumni students. These personal testimonies demonstrate how a long-term intervention can raise expectations, lead to significant education and life achievement, and stop the cycle of poverty forever.