Saturday, 20 August 2022
Meet the JournalistsPremiumAucklandWellingtonCanterbury/South Island
CrimePoliticsHealthEducationEnvironment and ClimateNZ Herald FocusData journalismKāhu, Māori ContentPropertyWeather
Small BusinessOpinionPersonal FinanceEconomyBusiness TravelCapital Markets
Politics
Premium SportRugbyCricketRacingNetballBoxingLeagueFootballSuper RugbyAthleticsBasketballMotorsportTennisCyclingGolfAmerican SportsHockeyUFC
NZH Local FocusThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay of Plenty TimesHawke's Bay TodayRotorua Daily PostWhanganui ChronicleStratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu Courier
Covid-19
Te Rito
Te Rito
OneRoof PropertyCommercial Property
Open JusticeVideoPodcastsTechnologyWorldOpinion
SpyTVMoviesBooksMusicCultureSideswipeCompetitions
Fashion & BeautyFood & DrinkRoyalsRelationshipsWellbeingPets & AnimalsVivaCanvasEat WellCompetitionsRestaurants & Menus
New Zealand TravelAustralia TravelInternational Travel
Our Green FutureRuralOneRoof Property
Career AdviceCorporate News
Driven MotoringPhotos
SudokuCodecrackerCrosswordsWordsearchDaily quizzes
Classifieds
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDriven MotoringThe CountryPhoto SalesNZ Herald InsightsWatchMeGrabOneiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
New Zealand

12 Days of Christmas: Who Did You Help Today? Mothers Project

13 Dec, 2018 04:00 PM2 minutes to read
An inmate involved in The Mothers Project at the Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility in Wiri, South Auckland. Photo / Greg Bowker

An inmate involved in The Mothers Project at the Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility in Wiri, South Auckland. Photo / Greg Bowker

Vaimoana Tapaleao
By
Vaimoana Tapaleao

Pasifika Editor

VIEW PROFILE

This Christmas, the Herald is featuring 12 charities which have been chosen to get a $10,000 grant from Auckland Airport, as part of its 12 Days of Christmas charity campaign. The $120,000 comes from generous travellers who donate money in globes throughout the airport.

Sometimes, just hearing mum's voice is all it takes to comfort a child.

Mothers in jail will soon be given an opportunity that will allow them to have that reconnection with their children, despite being behind bars.

A new book project is being set up at the Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility in Wiri, South Auckland.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Women wanting to take part will read a children's book that will then be given to their child. A recording of them reading the book will also be given to little ones as a gift from mum.

The initiative, to start in February, is the brainchild of Who Did You Help Today? The Mothers Project.

It is a charity that helps imprisoned mothers understand their responsibilities and rights regarding their children by linking them up with volunteer lawyers.

The new project will be established with a $10,000 grant provided by the Auckland Airport's 12 Days of Christmas campaign.

Lawyer Stacey Shortall, the founding trustee of the Who Did You Help Today? Mothers Project at the women's prison in Wiri, South Auckland. Photo / Greg Bowker
Lawyer Stacey Shortall, the founding trustee of the Who Did You Help Today? Mothers Project at the women's prison in Wiri, South Auckland. Photo / Greg Bowker

Lawyer and Mothers Project founding trustee Stacey Shortall said the money would help buy a range of children's books and recording equipment to be set up at the prison in Wiri.

Shortall said during sessions with lawyers, incarcerated women could then take part in the book project.

Related articles

New Zealand|Crime

The Big Read: Mums behind bars trying to raise babies

14 Apr 05:00 PM
New Zealand

Auckland Airport's 12 Days of Christmas project gifts $120k to charities

12 Dec 04:00 PM
New Zealand|Education

12 Days of Christmas: Taking lessons out of the classroom

12 Dec 04:00 PM
New Zealand

'It gives me a sense of purpose' - Brothers In Arms mentor

16 Dec 04:00 PM

"Even though they're inside - they've done wrong - but they still want to remain connected with their children.

"That's still important to them.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

"This is a way to enable a connection with their children."

Such initiatives also helped to reduce the likelihood of people reoffending and returning to prison, Shortall said.

It also helped to encourage reading among women who might not have strong literacy or numeracy skills.

Helen James, of Auckland Airport, said: "We're positively encouraged that imprisoned mothers will have access to reading books and equipment to enhance literacy of their young children - irrespective of any physical barriers.''

The plan is to buy all kinds of children's books that included culturally diverse offerings that would cater to families from all backgrounds.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

New ZealandUpdated

'Unbelievable' wild weather - more homes evacuated overnight

20 Aug 05:40 AM
New Zealand|Crime

Toupees and necklaces: Murderer's legal action costs taxpayers nearly $1 million

20 Aug 05:00 AM
New Zealand

Court review sought on harbour bridge cycle lanes

20 Aug 03:41 AM
New Zealand

Fit and healthy Kiwis dying unexpectedly from mysterious adult condition

20 Aug 03:00 AM
New Zealand

Herald afternoon quiz: August 20

20 Aug 03:00 AM

Most Popular

Toupees and necklaces: Murderer's legal action costs taxpayers nearly $1 million
New Zealand|Crime

Toupees and necklaces: Murderer's legal action costs taxpayers nearly $1 million

20 Aug 05:00 AM
Fit and healthy Kiwis dying unexpectedly from mysterious adult condition
New Zealand

Fit and healthy Kiwis dying unexpectedly from mysterious adult condition

20 Aug 03:00 AM
Parliament protest: Aussie far-right conspiracy commentators to attend, claims influencer
New Zealand|Politics

Parliament protest: Aussie far-right conspiracy commentators to attend, claims influencer

20 Aug 01:30 AM

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2022 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP