Giving to needy goes full circle

Vika Pasa, 22, studies law and business at AUT and works part-time. Her sister Motiana Pasa, 5, goes to school now - which is where she got her free raincoat. Photo / Dean Purcell

Vika Pasa grew up being fed and clothed by KidsCan — now she donates as the charity looks to help more.

KidsCan charity is literally close to home for Manukau student Vika Pasa.

Ms Pasa, 22, is the eldest of five children who have all attended decile 1 St Joseph's School in Otahuhu, which received food, rainproof jackets, shoes and health supplies from KidsCan.

Her youngest sister Motiana, 5, started at the school in June and already has her rainjacket.

Ms Pasa has become one of 8100 New Zealanders donating $15 or $20 a month to KidsCan's "In Our Own Backyard" child sponsorship programme.

"It was something that I guess always touched my heart and it was always in the back of my mind that one day, if I was able to, I would," she said. "It's a charity close to home."

Her mother does not work because of heart problems and her father has been on accident compensation since a work injury in 2012.

"Since he lost his job we have been financially struggling, and because we went to a Catholic school we have a uniform requirement and we struggled at times with trying to get shoes and stuff," Ms Pasa said.

"KidsCan have provided jackets and shoes every year since I left. It does help my parents financially."

Ms Pasa is studying law and business at AUT University. She has a part-time customer service job in a call centre and plans to set up her own business importing athletic gear and makeup.

KidsCan, co-founded by manager Julie Chapman in her Greenhithe garage in 2005, is now 10 years old. It has grown from helping 41 schools in 2006 to 500 this year, and now feeds and clothes children in more than half of the country's 847 primary schools in its target deciles 1 to 4.

Another 30 schools are on its waiting list.

Although it is best known for its food (bread, fruit pottles, yoghurt, baked beans and scroggin), Mrs Chapman said it started with rainjackets.

St Joseph's School principal Liz Horgan said the jackets and shoes made the biggest difference because all students received them.

"The biggest difference has actually been the support to parents," she said. "Many of our families struggle to meet their basic needs."

Investment manager Bill Birnie, who chairs the KidsCan board, said in his latest annual report that financial hardship was spreading in New Zealand despite economic recovery, and communities were more and more dependant on KidsCan. He expects the charity will still be needed in another 10 years.

"Just being practical and realistic, there is always going to be a level of poverty," he said. "I think we will continue to grow in terms of the support that we give and hopefully our overall objective, with the Government and private individuals, would be that all children that are in need are fed and clothed."