HOMES FOR CHILDREN

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23536, 14 January 1942, Page 6

HOMES FOR CHILDREN

WORK OF SOCIAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION There are 75 children in the Presbyterian Social Service Association’s homes in Christchurch, states the annual report, which is published in the “Outlook.” Six left the homes during last year and 13 were admitted. More than 70 of the children had a holiday in the country, many Presbyterian homes being opened to them at Christmas time. “In the realm of personal service, the children have been most helpful, whether it has been looking after the fowls, gardening, milking cows, or attending to the numerous household duties,” says the report. “Although faithful attention to the ‘chores' may seem a small thing, it is all definite training for the future, and a definite help in developing character. “Many of the children give unselfish service to others. Apart altogether from jobs such as minding children and gardening, for which the children receive pocket money, the following voluntary service has been given: Minding children for wives of soldiers overseas. gardening for soldiers’ wives, making 100 beds a month at the Young Men’s Christian Association for soldiers, reading to invalids. A spirit of unselfishness is the best way to defeat an institutional attitude to life.” The report comments that many childless persons are anxious to adopt healthy young children. The demand was greater than the supply, and the association was very often not able to meet requests. Last year six adoptions were arranged.