BOOKS FOR KIDZ
Books for Kidz is an initiative started in 2015 by Dr Celine Baber, a specialist at Middlemore Hospital until late 2016. Dr Baber recognised being in hospital and having surgery can be very frightening for children, and that giving a child a book is a way to alleviate some of the anxiety. Taking children's minds of the wait for surgery, helps them as they go into the operating theatre for their anaesthetic.
Scholastic supports this initiative of helping these children and offers Middlemore
Foundation donors special discounts on books for those who prefer to donate a book rather than donate money.
Since the scheme’s first year of operation more than 3,000 books have been given out to children. Each child is offered a new book to keep, with nurses helping them choose based on their age and interests.
“This is a great initiative, and the kids and families appreciate it.”
– Donna MacGregor, Associate Charge Nurse Manager, Manukau Super Clinic.
Manukau Super Clinic is located in one of New Zealand’s most deprived socio-economic areas. Some of the children have never owned a book before.
The wonderful pre-operative nurses at Manukau Super Clinic sort and store the
donated books, along with gifting them to children. The nurses love the initiative
as they see the hardship some of the children suffer, and there is a limited amount they can do. Gifting a book to a child helps them make a positive difference to the child’s life.
