CASE STUDIES
Case 1
The Smith Family
The Smith Family have had a difficult time over the last few years. Mrs Smith was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1992 and with the progression of this condition she has been unable to work. A year after receiving her own health diagnosis, Mrs Smith's husband was diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, he passed away in 2002.
Life has been difficult for the family and without the help of Mrs Smith's father it would be impossible. Her two daughters have had to become 'adults' before their time, helping their mother as much as possible.
Recently it was discovered that one of Mrs Smith's daughters needs braces. She knows this is important to her daughter's health and well-being, but will find it impossible to meet the cost as she is unable to work, and no public funding is available.
When the Rural Communities Trust heard her story, they decided to meet the costs of the dental work.
"This is what we are here for, to help rural families", says Chair of Rural Communities Trust Chrissy Pedersen.
Case 2
Te Horo School, Northland
Te Horo School, in Northland, is a rural school with 53 students. The school serves the community of Pipiwai, a primarily Maori population, thirty-five kilometres from Whangarei.
The area has a strong affiliation with the Ngatihine Iwi, and the local Marae 'Tau Henare Marae' stands across the road from the school. The Marae runs a kohanga reo for 13 students.
Pipiwai Village itself has a marae, church, school, kohanga and rugby club with fields and clubrooms, fifteen Housing Corp. homes and three Papakaianga homes. Outside the village there are eighteen homes in a 10km radius that send their children to the school.
The area provides very few opportunities for work so most adults receive government benefits. Those parents or grandparents that are working have to travel to Dargaville (over an hour drive away) or Whangarei to work.
Money for extras outside the school's bulk grant has to come from fundraising. Though still a decile one rating, the school now basks in glory from the results of two years of successful education.
As part of the school's commitment to providing the best possible learning experience for its students, staff realised that they must address barriers related to isolation, rural living and lower socio-economic status.
The reality is that most children at the school lack the experience of urban children and need to be exposed to education outside the classroom. Every two years the school has committed to sending their students further afield.
Fundraising is essential as the school strives to ensure that no child misses out on opportunities because their parents cannot afford it.
Planning a trip to Wellington began last year. This trip will enable all the children at Te Horo school to see first hand Government buildings, Te Papa, Capital E Production, the Carter Observatory and take a trip to the South Island.
An application to the Rural Communities Trust to support the hard work and planning Te Horo School had put in to ensuring its students had the opportunity to broaden their horizons, was made and granted.
"We just had to contribute to the school's field trip. The Rural Communities Trust exists so that it can help rural communities overcome barriers like isolation that present in a variety of ways. The hard work and planning Te Horo School has put in to this project was worthy of our support", says Chrissy.
