For many West Aucklanders, a visit from Life Education’s Harold the Giraffe is an iconic part of growing up. And thanks to $8,000 in funding from the Your West Support Fund, many more local tamariki will continue to benefit from the trusted health and wellbeing programme delivered by Life Education.
Life Education Trust – Auckland West has received funding to help cover its operating costs, ensuring its two mobile classrooms can continue visiting schools across the region. Each year, the charity reaches around 10,000 children aged 5–13 and supports more than 300 teachers.
‘We deliver a package of learning around life lessons that’s not always part of the standard curriculum,’ says August Prescott, Trustee at the Life Education Trust.
Topics covered include health, nutrition, mental wellbeing, resilience, friendship and making positive choices. Using interactive technology and specialist teaching resources, Life Education’s teachers bring learning to life in mobile classrooms that travel throughout West Auckland, from Swanson and Hobsonville to Titirangi and Kumeū.
‘Our goal is to educate and empower tamariki to make the best choices so they can live full and healthy lives,’ says August.
The charity’s teachers work closely with schools and kura to deliver a programme tailored to their specific needs. For older children, it might be the harms caused by vaping, while for younger children, the focus may be on building positive friendships. Whether it’s students, parents, teachers, or schools, the programme undoubtedly has a significant impact.
Teachers consistently report positive outcomes. Independent evaluations conducted by Research NZ found that 94 per cent of teachers surveyed had full trust and confidence in Life Education, while 96 per cent agreed that the charity’s teachers delivered lessons that met students’ needs. Many schools and parents also report seeing positive changes in children’s attitudes and behaviour following visits.
Beyond working directly with students, Life Education also supports teachers through professional development opportunities and online learning resources, including programmes developed in partnership with Anxiety NZ and Autism NZ.
Thanks to support from the Your West Support Fund, Life Education can continue bringing these important lessons to thousands of tamariki out West, helping them make positive choices both now and in the future.
Learn more about Life Education Trust – Auckland West at haroldthegiraffe.co.nz or follow them on Facebook.
If you or your organisation could use support from The Trusts, find out how to apply at thetrusts.co.nz/our-funds.
