May 04, 2016
1000 Days Trust strengthens parent-child bonds
Maori in Murihiku arent taking the bonds between parents and children for granted.
The Thousand Days Trust has been set up to strengthen those bonds and give extra support for the first year's of a baby's life.
Board member Aimee Kaio says the programme, which now receives funding from South Island Whanau Ora commissioning agency Te Putahitanga, came out of extensive discussion within Southlands' Maori community.
She says its a way to put some structure around the old adage it takes a village to raise a child.
"Thats the core foundation of 1000 Days Trust, to support mums and dad's and whanau, to understand the importance of positive relationtional health, having that bond with your baby, the impact it has on the childs brain development and what that can mean for the childs life," she says.
Aimee Kaio says while some candidates for the Thousand Hours initiative are referred by Maori providers, Plunket or GPs, many whanau find their own way to the trust.
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