 Life
Education Trust
It goes without saying that there is a great feeling of gratitude in
the Life Education Trust for the Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association.
Right from the early days of our struggle to get established 15 years
ago The Diggers have supported us in building a better world for the children.
From those early humble beginnings when we had a vision in a wheelbarrow,
we have enjoyed financial and moral support from the RSA National and
its branches.
We are happy to report that we now have 38 Educators operating our (36)
Mobile classrooms and we are reaching (225,000) school children annually
throughout NZ.
Harold the Giraffe the mascot is now a national icon and you can see
him on every Westpac cash machine. Harold was chosen so children would
always look upwards and not at their bootlaces. A recent survey initiated
by Westpac and carried out by Colmar Brunton (the poll experts) disclosed
that 94% of New Zealand School Children now know whom Harold is. Absolutely
amazing! A further 86% remember Harold’s’ messages. And another
evaluation carried out by Dr Colin McJannit and Massey University covering
104 schools disclosed that there was clear evidence that the resource
was changing children’s attitudes and behaviour regarding Health
issues. The most telling remark of the evaluation was “As Life Education
is invited into schools; they operate on a Perform or Perish basis.”
We’re now reaching more schools than ever (1328 in 2004) which is
a remarkable evaluation all on its own.
However, it is important now that we are not complacent and that we
drive on to reach every New Zealand school child. As Founder Director
my travels have taken me far and wide and I have experienced some remarkable
incidents. I visited a decile one school in the lower North Island and
the school Principal asked me to speak to Year 4/5/6 (7 – 10year
olds). At the end of the talk a little girl tugged my jacket and beckoned
me so I bent down to listen and she said “I wish you were my Daddy.”
I knew there was something wrong and gave the little girl a hug, promising
that I would return with a surprise (which I subsequently did.) When I
got up to leave the Deputy Principal was tearful and said “That
little girl went home two weeks ago and found her “P” ravaged
father hanging in the garage”. This not an uncommon happening!
At another rural school where we are trying to establish a Trust the
Teachers told me a good percentage of the children arrived stoned in the
morning and on fine days they try to have the lessons outside so the children
get fresh air and wake up a little. Then they added that they give up
on some kids after lunch because they are stoned again after a lunchtime
toke (puff). In some areas parenting is non-existent and teachers told
me most of the welfare benefit goes into alcohol and drugs. Child physical
abuse is common as is wife bashing.
I visited another school where 60 % of the children were parented by
grandparents. And at another school the principal found a young girl sitting
on the steps outside the school after classes had finished. When asked
what she was doing, the little girl divulged that her Mother had dropped
her off and left her with $20 telling the child to tell the Principal
that she should get the CYFS to find her a placement for her as Mum was
heading to the city to avoid her violent partner who was about to be released
from Prison.
I could go on ad infinitum about the indignities that some of our children
are suffering: this type of pain spurs our team on. We must persist and
let every child know that they are special and unique - the very things
that our soldiers, sailors and airmen fought for should be theirs - peace,
freedom, nurture and leaving a better world for each new generation. Life
Education with assistance from the RSA teaches all of its classes about
the magnificence of the human body and brain and also teaches them that
their happy survival on this planet depends on their support and respect
for each other.
In reply to the question what is God, Socrates said “I believe
that God is love –expressed in creation and that love is an irresistible
necessity.” It is: especially for children.
Finally the National Board of Trustees, all Chairmen and Trustees of
our 35 Community Trusts, our Executive team, the Educators and our many
supporters wish to express our sincere gratitude to the RNZRSA for its
support and send every RSA member best wishes for the coming festive season.
Kia Kaha,
(Trevor Grice MNZM)
Founder Director
Life Education Trust New Zealand.
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