About Us

Eva Scherer - Founder and CEO

Eva Scherer was born in Poland. She has a Master Degree in Agriculture from Warsaw University of Life Science - SGGW completed in 1973. After working for a few years in the government agriculture sector including the supervision of aero agriculture using fertilisers and chemical pesticides, she moved into the self-employed area with natural medicine, massage and herbalism.

After emigrating to NZ in 1996 she created the brand of 'YMassages' with several sports massage clinics in Auckland. She created a massage programme for primary school students Children Massaging Children (CMC) which received a Mayoral Award for Excellence in the Community in 2004. Two academic research papers,the Eastern Institute of Technology in Hastings in 2006, and Auckland University in 2011 proved CMC efficacy for children and it is very popular in Polish Early Childhood Education nationwide. childconnection.org.nz/research For the last decade Eva Scherer has been involved with Ngataringa Community Garden as a volunteer developing and running several programmes for children in the local community. Medicinal Weed Tours, Junior Assistants and recently Herb Fairies all contain elements of CMC programme which develops love, respect and care for nature, by nurturing hands on processes for children's feeling of biophilia.

Colin Smith - IT Support and Treasurer

Colin Smith is semi retired, and wished to use his IT skills to help a Charitable Organization. He helps with technical areas such as the maintenance of this website and any general computer work. He has also taken an interest in video work which is useful for capturing the images and experiences of the Trust. He is a LLB graduate of Auckland University.

He is also a volunteer for Shout de-escalation services that provide text conversations with children, young people and adults who are struggling to cope. New Zealand volunteers are very welcome, as they can more easily cover the busiest times in the middle of the U.K. night. Learn more

Elzbieta Budnik - Trustee

Elzbieta Budnik was born in Poland.

Prior to immigrating to New Zealand in 1988, she studied at University in Poland obtaining a Master’s in Law and Administration. While raising her two children in New Zealand Elzbieta learnt English and welcomed New Zealand bicultural/multicultural approach.

Since then She has completed

In 2006 Diploma in Counselling at Human Development & Training Institute of NZ.
In 2003 -2006, while still studying, she worked as a volunteer Face-to Face Counsellor and in the Family Therapy Team at Youthline in Ponsonby.
From 2007 to 2009 Elzbieta worked as a Recreational Therapist with elderly patients in hospital and patients affected with dementia to support them on their spiritual journey near death.
In 2012 Elzbieta’s journey in social practice integrating her counselling skills started as Foster Care Liaison Social Worker with Lifewise Family Services in Glen Eden, Auckland.
In 2011 Elzbieta completed bachelor’s in Social Practice at Unitec, Waitakere Campus.
In 2012 Elzbieta’s journey in social practice integrating her counselling skills started as Foster Care Liaison Social Worker with Lifewise Family Services in Glen Eden, Auckland.
In April 2012 she began working as a Caregiver Social Worker with Child, Youth and Family Services at Waitakere
She then continued working as a Caregiver Social Worker for Oranga Tamariki, Ministry for Children, under Caregiver Recruitment and Support team
In 2020 she completed Certificate in Te Ara Reo Maori at Te Wananga o Aotearoa in 2021.
2012 – 2022. Over the past 10 years,. Elzbieta has focused working with foster parents on Attachment Theory, Trauma Informed care, Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), wholistic - child wellbeing and multi-systemic approach not to mention other technics and tools.

Sally O'Brien - Trustee

Sally O'Brien Spent her childhood in South Africa and England.

She has been in New Zealand since age 17, and completed Registered Nurse Training in 1981.
Almost her entire Career has been in Auckland’s Starship Hospital for Children, specializing in child and adolescent traumatic serious, often chronic, illness in Paediatric Haematology and Oncology.

Sally has experience in supervisory and educational roles, counceling and palliative child and family care.
Since retirement she has been involved in coordinating community projects focusing on resilience, and welfare for a dynamically growing community organisation now reaching about 3000 participants.

"I am excited to see the development of CMC as an integral part of relationship, family and community emotional development If only we had had this kind of therapy in the hospital setting for during and post traumatic experiences as a tool for parents"