The K2 Development Trust, which is managed from Christchurch under the auspices of the Graeme Dingle Foundation provides a series of programmes to help young people develop positive attitudes and values, and learn important life skills.
Noeline Allan, Canterbury Regional Manager for the Graham Dingle Foundation spoke about the Kiwi Can programme, an energy-packed primary school programme aimed at kids aged 5 to 12 which teaches values such as integrity and respect, and delivers fun-filled learning to schools all around the country.
Kiwi Can originated 18 years ago in South Canterbury when fifteen schools and 1500 children per week were mentored through the original programme.Today it is aimed at mainly primary and intermediate students with three modules per term, including class lessons and community projects. The course aims to ensure that all young people are confident contributors to society, by building confidence, competence, character, caring and compassion.
Kiwi Can has been proven to engage students, reduce truancy, improve listening and communication skills and help children play co-operatively. This transformational programme builds a strong platform for adult life and future careers.
The Foundation also offers the Project K programme, a 14 month programme aimed at ‘at risk’ year 10 children in cohorts of 12 students. They are paired with mentors for a full year at a cost of approximately $7,500 per student. As well as differentiated learning in a class situation, students undergo a wilderness programme for three weeks, and also spend time working with a charity.There is currently one team working with the Kiwi Can project in South Canterbury and the Trust is keen to introduce Project K. It would need to establish a sound financial base, an advisory group and an ongoing relationship with the Rotary club to ensure it has a strong local voice.