New Red Cross breakfast program supports children as they return to school

When schools reopen Tuesday for the first time since Cyclone Pat ravaged the island of Aitutaki on 11 February, Red Cross will be there to provide healthy breakfasts to more than 500 students.
Red Cross’ new school breakfast program, where children will sit down to a meal of cereal, bread, fruit and milk, will be launched in four schools on Tuesday: Araura Primary School, Araura College, Vaitau Primary School and SDA Primary School.
The one-month program aims to provide children with a good start for a day of learning, as well as to encourage them to return to normal activities after experiencing the trauma of the cyclone.
“I think it’s going to be a real morale booster for students and teachers,” said Secretary General of the Cook Islands Red Cross Niki Rattle.
“Food has always been a gift of love for Cook Islanders, and food to us means socialising, comfort and happiness,” said Ms Rattle. “The program is saying Red Cross is here for you, we care for you and we want to get you started on returning life to normal,” she said.
Ms Rattle said the school breakfast program would also help parents by providing some extra care for their children during a difficult time. “Parents are coping with the enormous task of cleaning up after the cyclone. Our support means they don’t have to worry about providing their children with a nourishing meal to start the day.”
The program will run for one month from Tuesday 23rd February, beginning at 7.30am in each school. In partnership with members of the private sector, Red Cross will provide food for the healthy meals and support the schools to serve them, with the help of parents who have volunteered to assist.
“It’s a partnership between Red Cross and the community,” Ms Rattle said. “Cook Islanders are resilient people – but this cyclone was beyond what anyone expected. With this program we are mobilising the community to support themselves.”
Aitutaki Branch Annual General Meeting this Thursday
The Cook Islands Red Cross Aitutaki Branch Annual General Meeting will be held this Thursday at 5.00pm at the Women’s Federation Centre in Arutanga. The meeting will include the election of office bearers for the year 2010 and volunteer registration. Cook Islands Red Cross encourages people to come along and become a part of this global humanitarian organisation.