Share Christmas spirit around the world

LIFE JOURNEY: Sri Lankan schoolgirl Mirah (right) and her new bike that has helped in and out of the classroom. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Wairarapa residents have been invited to turn the wheels of education for children in rural Sri Lanka and help buy them bikes for Christmas.

ChildFund New Zealand spokeswoman Kiri Carter said a child with a bike in some developing countries can overcome one of their greatest barriers to learning - the sometimes arduous journey to and from school.

"Imagine it's a scorching hot day. You pat your child on the head and send them off to school," Ms Carter said.

"But instead of a short stroll or bus ride, imagine their journey is equivalent to walking from Ngaumutawa Rd through town to Queen Elizabeth Park, across the swing bridge over the Waipoua River, then through the Sports Bowl and past the hospital and up to Henley Lake.

"It's a challenging five and a half kilometre walk for little legs, and will take them well over an hour."

Ms Carter said having to walk an average of five but as much as 15 kilometres each way through difficult terrain, young students were often unable to make the trip every day and when they do, they arrive late and exhausted.

"While Kiwi kids look forward to fun adventures atop this quintessential Christmas gift, for children in the developing world a bike can have a life-changing impact well into adulthood, improving their access to an education and in turn their ability to break free from the cycle of poverty."

ChildFund NZ chief executive Paul Brown said a more manageable bicycle ride to the classroom ensures the students arrive fresh and ready to learn.

"There are numerous stories from the field of children's confidence, grades and future prospects increasing immensely like 12-year-old Mirah, who has made it to school on time every day and is achieving in the top 10 per cent of her class of 44 pupils, thanks to her trusty bike."

Wairarapa residents can purchase bikes for children in Sri Lanka as an alternative Christmas gift through the ChildFund Gifts that Grow catalogue.

The online catalogue includes a wide range of gifts of varying costs and to order visit www.childfund.org.nz or call 0800 223 111.