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View all programs Thank you for helping Audrina find her voice
08 March 2024
To say single mum Melita was busy is an understatement. When she wasn’t raising her daughter Audrina, now 12, she was working in aged care. And she was caring for her elderly mother.
This proud Gamilaroi woman from the Riverina region was also providing kinship care for nieces and nephews. As she was putting her heart and soul into caring for all these people, she was struggling financially. “I’d lost my home and was just making ends meet on a casual wage,” Melita says.
This proud Gamilaroi woman from the Riverina region was also providing kinship care for nieces and nephews. As she was putting her heart and soul into caring for all these people, she was struggling financially. “I’d lost my home and was just making ends meet on a casual wage,” Melita says.
Melita’s priority was to ensure Audrina had all the support she needs while growing up. She wanted her daughter to feel confident and to participate fully in class without being held back by adversity. But Melita had so many responsibilities. Without more support, she couldn’t give her daughter every chance to thrive.
Then, thanks to supporters like you, Audrina began to access The Smith Family’s out-of school learning programs. She now had a whole team of people helping her become all that she could be. “This opportunity restored my faith in our community,” Melita says. “The Smith Family became part of our village.”
Then, thanks to supporters like you, Audrina began to access The Smith Family’s out-of school learning programs. She now had a whole team of people helping her become all that she could be. “This opportunity restored my faith in our community,” Melita says. “The Smith Family became part of our village.”
Audrina’s growth in reading has excelled. She has climbed reading levels confidently and improved in spelling tests.
Because of your generous support, Audrina could join student2student. This came at a critical time, as she was struggling with reading. That soon changed, thanks to her wonderful buddies Savannah and Bella, with whom she’d read over the phone. Their friendship and encouragement lit a spark in Audrina!
“Audrina’s growth in reading has excelled,” Melita says. “She has climbed reading levels confidently and improved in spelling tests.“As a single parent, I’m often battling to keep the house running, so having student2student is like another parent, providing extra support to encourage Audrina.”
All children need learning support to succeed at school. And when students like Audrina receive this support thanks to your kind donations, it creates a positive cycle in their lives. As her reading skills improved, Audrina built up her confidence and felt encouraged to apply herself in other areas. She could see exciting possibilities all around.
She discovered a new passion: public speaking. Audrina’s school gave her lots of opportunities and she excelled.
She discovered a new passion: public speaking. Audrina’s school gave her lots of opportunities and she excelled.
“Audrina presented the Uluru Statement in front of 500 people at a public information session,” Melita says. “The Elders and many community members congratulated Audrina on doing an awesome job.”
Melita’s number one wish is for Audrina to be happy and follow her heart and passions. It fills Melita with hope to know she is part of a village that gives Audrina the same opportunity as other students to achieve her best.
“I want her to beat the past barriers our family members have faced, and Smith Family supporters in the community are helping her do that,” she says.“I hope you know how life-changing your support is. You’ve given children like her stepping stones to take on the path to more amazing opportunities.
Melita’s number one wish is for Audrina to be happy and follow her heart and passions. It fills Melita with hope to know she is part of a village that gives Audrina the same opportunity as other students to achieve her best.
“I want her to beat the past barriers our family members have faced, and Smith Family supporters in the community are helping her do that,” she says.“I hope you know how life-changing your support is. You’ve given children like her stepping stones to take on the path to more amazing opportunities.
Read more student and family stories in our Autumn 2024 edition of Real People, Real Stories
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