In
early April, Hayley made a trip to Ghana in her role
as New Zealand’s Ambassador to UNICEF.
During this trip, she saw for herself the devastating
plight of so many children - poor living standards,
poor sanitation, poor healthcare and poor access to
education. All these are things that we in the developed
world take for granted.
The
reasons for such problems are many and, with the best
will in the world, without help from people such as
ourselves, their struggle will go on indefinitely.
As
with so many severely underprivileged countries, the
people desperately want to work themselves out of poverty
and deprivation. They do not want to live on charity
forever. But, their need is such that we must do what
we can to give them the tools to help themselves.
The
single most important aspect of helping them to progress
is education. With an education, children’s prospects
for the future improve dramatically. With an education,
they will have the knowledge to be able to work.
Part
of the reason they are not getting the education they
deserve is the distance that many children have to travel
to get to school. The problems are magnified for girls,
many of whom must do household chores before they can
even go to school. Then, having to face a walk of at
least two miles each way regardless of the weather is,
in itself, a daunting factor. This can be eased considerably
simply by giving them a bike.
UNICEF
NZ have set themselves a target of 5,000 bikes
and 1,000 tricycles.
We
at HWI, in co-operation with
Hayley and UNICEF
NZ, are asking for your help urgently.
Just NZD40.00 will buy a bike for a girl – NZD60.00
will buy a tricycle for a disabled child. To help you
realise just how small a sum is needed, I am giving
a comparison (approximate) in USD, GBP and Euros:
NZD40.00
is roughly equal to USD29.00, GBP15.00 or Euro22.00
NZD60.00 is roughly equal to USD44.00, GBP23.00 or
Euro33.00
Remember,
exchange rates do vary, so the above is only a guide.
Alternatively, click XE.com
Personal Currency Assistant to calculate today's
exchange rate for your currency.
Please
help to support Hayley and UNICEF
in their efforts to bring hope to these children by
giving what you can today. To make a donation, please
go to the following address and make your pledge. Your
help means so much and you can make a difference to
a child’s life.
The
reasons for such problems are many and, with the best
will in the world, without help from people such as
ourselves, their struggle will go on indefinitely.