We’re turning pink from May 19–23 to celebrate Pink Week and shine a spotlight on IHC’s Calf & Rural Scheme. Now in its 43rd year, the scheme helps raise vital funds to support people with disabilities and their whānau in rural New Zealand.

Your donations make a big impact—supporting initiatives like camps for siblings of children with disabilities, helping people pursue their passions, providing funding for therapies and equipment, and connecting communities through the IHC Volunteer Friendship Programme.

Learn from some members of the IHC community below to hear the impact your generosity makes.

Connection and Time Out with SibCamps 

One powerful example of how the Calf & Rural Scheme supports families is SibCamps, which are special camps for children who have a sibling with an intellectual disability. Being the sibling of a child with an intellectual disability can be really hard. 

Nine-year-old Tui has a younger brother Kahu who is autistic. Her dad, Jack, says she misses out on family time. “Like going to the beach. Kahu only lasts about 20 minutes before he needs to leave. But Tui wants to swim, play in the sand, and build sandcastles. So often one of us will need to take Kahu home so the other can stay with Tui.”

SibCamps give kids like Tui an opportunity to have fun, connect with others who understand, and have some time out. The camps are led by facilitators like Michael, who has siblings with disabilities and attended camps like this as a child. “One of the biggest things is how they actually feel about their sibling. It kind of takes sibling rivalry to the next level. Parents are often focusing on their disabled child and their siblings feel left out. These kids can have a lot of hurt feelings around that.”

Thanks to your support, IHC is already planning the next three SibCamps around the country giving these kids the support they need.

IHC’s Te Anga Pāua o Aotearoa National Kapa Haka Festival

The Calf & Rural Scheme helped with funding to support IHC’s Te Anga Pāua o Aotearoa National Kapa Haka Festival last year. The festival brought kapa haka roopū from around the country to the centre stage in Wellington. The theme, ‘Noku te ao – 75 years living culture’, celebrated IHC’s 75th anniversary of supporting New Zealanders with intellectual disabilities in the community. The festival’s kaupapa of empowerment, community and connection for people with intellectual disabilities was also on display. 

Ben's Dream Come True

Another initiative that the Calf & Rural Scheme supports is IHC’s Volunteer Friendship Programme, which matches people with intellectual disabilities with a volunteer who shares their interests to spend time together. The relationship is one-to-one, so they can get to know each other and form a good connection.

Ben and his friend Jackson, have been part of the Friendship Programme for four years. Usually, they enjoy heading out into the sunshine with their fishing rods, to the Stadium to support the Highlanders, or to a café for a cuppa and a yarn. Without Jackson’s support, Ben, who is a wheelchair user, would not be able to enjoy these outings and activities on a regular basis.

When Jackson was getting married recently, he invited Ben to the wedding, like friends do. He knew one of Ben’s dreams was to have a ride in a red Mustang. The bride’s father owned a red Mustang and it was used as one of the wedding cars. Ben had his dream come true as he got to go in the car at the wedding.

Ben said, “I have never been asked to a wedding before and when I was asked to go, I couldn’t believe it.  I was overwhelmed and felt very special.  I felt even more special when I got to sit in the Mustang. I couldn’t stop smiling.”

Get Involved with the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme

You can show your support and help make an impact for families and individuals by donating a calf to the scheme. Once sold, the proceeds of the calf sale go to IHC. For farmers without calves or those looking for an alternative way to contribute, donating a virtual calf through the IHC website can be a great option.

Head to the IHC website to learn more here.