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Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
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Thanks to supporters like you, gymnast Emmanouela has broken through the digital divide

18 March 2025

Last year, 17-year-old Emmanouela competed as the youngest member of Australia’s Rhythmic Gymnastics team at the Paris Olympic Games. Her achievement is extraordinary, but what truly sets Emmanouela apart is her determination and the obstacles she’s overcome.

When Emmanouela was young, her parents, Nancy and Alex, moved from Greece to Australia. They dreamed of a better future for their children. “We came with zero,” Nancy recalls. The family battled huge financial struggles. The hardship was intensified by language barriers and the challenges of adapting to a new culture.

Despite the challenges they face, Nancy and Alex remain unwavering in their commitment to helping their children become all that they can be. From a young age, Emmanouela was showing exceptional promise in gymnastics. But with so much to juggle, her family found it hard to give her the learning essentials and support all children need to thrive and unlock their full potential.

A breakthrough came in Year 5 when Emmanouela’s family embraced the life-changing opportunity of being connected with The Smith Family. Your generous gifts provided access to additional learning support to equip Emmanouela to achieve her best.

As Emmanouela entered high school, her parents continued to support her gymnastics training and Emmanouela was proud to discover the focus and dedication she’d developed in sport were translating into success at school!

Through gymnastics, I’ve learned how to be disciplined, work hard for what I want, and stay organised. I know that if I don’t put in the effort, I won’t reach my end goal.

Emmanouela, Digital Learning Essentials participant

However, Emmanouela faced a new challenge: a laptop was essential for her studies. Although her father worked multiple jobs, they still couldn’t afford one. But Emmanouela didn’t lose focus. Having already overcome so much, she found reassurance in knowing she had caring people like you backing her – she didn’t have to face this hurdle alone.

Your support gave Emmanouela access to our Digital Learning Essentials program, which provided her with a refurbished laptop. Through this program she also received free internet donated by Optus customers. These resources enabled her to complete assignments at school and home. “Without the laptop and internet, I wouldn’t have been able to do my schoolwork,” Emmanouela explains. “I’m so very grateful for the support.”

When Emmanouela learned she’d be competing in the Paris Olympics, she felt overjoyed. All the hard work had paid off. “Going to the Olympics was one of the best experiences in my life. Living with and walking next to the world’s best athletes was surreal,” she says. “The whole competition –the crowd, my team, the emotions, the arena. I felt euphoria.”

Like all parents, Emmanouela’s want her to reach her full potential. Her mother Nancy is deeply grateful that Emmanouela can receive support to overcome the challenges of poverty, a reality that can affect any young person.

At just 17, Emmanouela also understands that it takes a village to help a student like her thrive. “To get to where I am, it took a lot of sacrifices –not just from me, but from my family,” she says. “It took a lot of resilience to keep going. But with hard work and support from my family, coaches, and The Smith Family, the process became a bit easier.”

“It’s why ongoing support for a child makes a huge difference – not just to the children, but the parents too. Knowing there’s someone out there looking out for you is a very nice feeling.”

“A big thank you to Smith Family supporters,” adds Nancy.

Every young person deserves the chance to reach their full potential. Thanks to your kindness and generosity, Emmanouela and other students can reach for the stars! Thank you.

Read more student and family stories in our Autumn 2025 edition of Real People, Real Stories

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