Building better, stronger relationships – that's the goal of whanau ora co-ordinator for Ngati Ruahine Charitable Trust Alice Harihona Scott.

And the Ngati Ruahine Charitable Trust will be helping to nurture these relationships in an upcoming school holiday programme for underprivilidged children aged five-16 years old within the Ngati Ruahine Hapu and the wider community.

The programme, on Monday April 23 and again on Thursday April 26, is called ‘Tamariki on the Go' and has been funded on a shoestring, says Alice.

With two professional artist's coming along and helping facilitate the programme and Countdown Greerton along for the ride too, Alice says the programme 'has exceeded my expectations”.

Countdown Greerton have stepped up and are donating fruit and other items and McDonald's has donated food vouchers – more than enough for the programme, says Alice.

'The parents have an obligation to contribute to a shared lunch as some of our kids come to this programme hungry.”

As a charitable trust, Ngati Ruahine Charitable Trust aims to provide and create a fun, safe environment that contributes to education, health and well-being with sustainability for life.

'This is the first of many programs that we are passionate and committed to do as a team,” says Alice.

'We are hoping that this and future programmes will bond the children and parents more and educate these adults to take ownership of their lives for the better and build a better family for the future.”

Alice says this programme is designed to help children coming from underprivileged families and she hopes she will be able to help them build strong foundations for the future.

'It's no secret that the misuse of alcohol and drugs play a major role in today's society, leaving families penniless and sees an increase in abusive relationships.

'Sadly, a number of these children who attend this school holiday programme come from these families,” says Alice.

'My role is to help build better, stronger whanau relationships along with Ngati Ruahine Charitable Trust. This has been a long time coming to implement a program for children who don't have the opportunity to enjoy the basics things in life.

'Unfortunately, many of our children suffer for the wrong decisions and miss management of money that their parents or caregivers should be responsible for.

'Many of these kids I do not know, but they have brought joy and the occasional tear to my life.”

The programme runs on Monday, April 23 from 10am-1.30pm and again on Thursday April 26 from 10am-1.30pm, at 830 Cameron Rd.

For more information, email Alice on: terryandalice@yahoo.co.nz