Journey of Hope

Support for children and families following the Christchurch quake

Save the Children is running the Journey of Hope programmes for children and their parents and caregivers affected by the Canterbury earthquake on February 22nd and the subsequent aftershocks.

Following the February quake, we brought in experts from America and adapted the Journey of Hope programmes, originally developed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, for New Zealand.

We are working with local partners Barnardos, Plunket and Te Puna Whaiora (Glenelg) to reach primary schools and early childhood centres, as well as some community and youth groups. So far we have trained over 50 group facilitators who have begun delivering the programmes to children in Christchurch.

The programmes

The Journey of Hope programmes were developed by Save the Children in the United States to help children and their families as they rebuilt their lives following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  The programmes are a long-term care campaign designed to build resilience and positive coping skills. Through activities including games, art and music, children learn to understand their feelings, develop positive coping strategies and build a sense of hope for the future.

A programme is also available for adults, to help them understand stress, relaxation and self-care, to build their own resilience and increase their capacity to support their children.

• Junior Journey of Hope for Under 5s
• Primary Journey of Hope for 5-12 year olds
• Teen Journey of Hope for 13-17 year olds
• Journey of Hope for Parents and Caregivers

Click here to watch a video about the Journey of Hope

In Christchurch?

If you’re in Christchurch, stressed and need help, or if you want more information, contact us on 0800 167 168, or email  christchurch@savethechildren.org.nz  with your name, address, phone number. A member of our local Christchurch team will be in touch in 1-2 working days.

Want to help?

The anxiety and stress levels across Christchurch remain high due to the constant aftershocks. We would like to expand the reach of the Journey of Hope programmes but we need your support to do so. If you are able to help fund the Journey of Hope, please call 0800 167 168 or donate online.

Download Journey of Hope pamphlet

Thank you to our programme supporters

Kenbe La Foundation and Purple Cake Day generously donated $15,000 to support the work of the Journey of Hope programmes.

Smiggle for donating 1050 notebooks for use in our programmes.

New Zealand Rotary for donating $20,000 to support the work of the Journey of Hope programmes.

Thank you to our programme delivery partners

Save the Children’s specialists are working together with local child-focused organisations Plunket, Barnardos, ADRA New Zealand and Te Puna Whaiora Children's Health Camps to deliver some or all of the Journey of Hope programme to families and children who need support.