Alongside the standard baby bag items, newborns welcomed into the world at hospitals across Murihiku Southland are also gifted what could be the start of their love for reading.
Through its Books for Babies project, the Southland Literacy Association aims to gift every baby born in Murihiku Southland with its very own picture book.
Often found nestled in with the swaddles, nappies and wipes, each baby and their whanau receive a pack with a child’s picture book, a pamphlet with information supporting the development of oral literacy skills, and information about their local library.
Initially a biennial project that began in 1998, the Books for Babies project is now an initiative that through the support of Community Trust South, ILT Foundation and Mataura Licensing Trust, benefits every baby born across the rohe (region).
Southland Literacy Association member, Daphne Lindsay – who has championed the project from its infancy, alongside many supportive committee members - said the project supports families to help their Tamariki start on the path to literacy.
“We believe much can be achieved before Tamariki start their formal learning pathways, and their very own book – one that they can read and share with their whanau – is a strong contributor to this,”
Strongly aligned to its priority of supporting communities to participate in lifelong learning, Community Trust South has been a proud supporter of this project since 2001 and believes that the impact of this project on families and our wider community is significant.
“There’s something so special about gifting a child a book. It’s more than just a story – it’s a way parents can connect with their Tamariki, it’s the beginning of oral development, and it’s a magical tool to encourage a child’s imagination,” Community Trust South Grants Manager Dianne Williams said.
It is initiatives like Books for Babies, that contribute to a strong foundation for thriving communities across the region and support children and their whanau to fulfil their potential.
Community Trust South is proud to play a role in enabling these conditions for our future generations to thrive and knows how welcomed the books are on the maternity wards of our Murihiku Southland hospitals.
‘From Hairy Maclary to The Best Loved Bear, these books are a treasured gift that will support a love of reading for many years,”
The Southland Literacy Association received a general grant for their 'Books for Babies' project. Community Trust South can offer general grants of up to $75,000 for projects, organisations, services and events that help us to support thriving communities.
