Girl with a mission - "taking action against child poverty"

Girl with a mission

A 16-year-old is taking action against child poverty and hopes others will join her to create change.

While most people her age are relaxing at the beach, Jazmine Heka from Whangarei Girls' High School has created her own cause, Children Against Poverty.

She has started petitions calling for free healthy school lunches, free healthcare for all children including prescription costs and warrants of fitness on all rental houses.

Photo: CHILD CAMPAIGNER: Jazmine Heka, 16, says she was inspired by Bryan Bruce's documentary to start her own cause, Children Against Poverty

Jazmine has also written a children's charter based on the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child.

She was inspired to take action after watching Inside Child Poverty, a documentary by Bryan Bruce.

Mr Bruce investigated New Zealand's poor state of child health and took lessons from Sweden where things like free school lunches and free healthcare for youngsters has resulted in some of the best child health in the world.

Jazmine says she was moved by the documentary. She does not live in poverty but has lived in a state house where dampness and mould were a problem.

"I watched this documentary and felt sad for the babies. I'm very fortunate now but I haven't always been and that's what inspired me. I just want to help children."

She contacted Mr Bruce and he spoke at the launch of Children Against Poverty last year, which included a screening of his documentary.

Jazmine says she has had great support from Manaia Health and the Whangarei Child Poverty Action Group. More than 375 people have liked her Facebook page.

She is now trying to drum up more support and get as many signatures as possible on her petitions.

She wants to see legislation changes and hopes to meet politicians after the summer holidays.

Ngaire Rae from Whangarei Child Poverty Action Group says it's inspiring to have someone as young as Jazmine taking action.

"It gives adults like us hope that this is an issue young people will pick up. It's inspirational for a lot of us who have been working on these issues for a long time."

Go to the Facebook page Children Against Poverty or email childrenagainstpoverty @hotmail.co.nz for more information. Petitions can also be signed at the Whangarei Leader office on Bank St.

Source: Whangarei Leader and www.stuff.co.nz