Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs After fleeing war, you’ve helped Sarive triumph
08 September 2021
After fleeing war in the Congo and five years in a refugee camp, Sarive’s family settled in Australia. They struggled to build a new life. School was hard. “Learning English was a battle,” Sarive recalls. Her parents had to learn all the same things she was. “My parents made great sacrifices to get us here, but they’d never been to school themselves,” she says.
Then Sarive entered the big new world of high school. She was still carrying the scars of war and displacement. It’s usually a time when young people start to dream of their future careers. The work also becomes a lot harder. Sarive was struggling to adapt and keep up. She was too overwhelmed to think about her future. What made things worse was not having a laptop – considered an essential – to do her class and homework.
Sarive was smart and driven. But she lacked confidence and resources to achieve. “My parents had been great role models in so many ways,” she says. “But the fact they’d never been to school and couldn’t offer me educational support made high school especially challenging.”
When The Smith Family began supporting Sarive, her outlook changed. Thanks to your support, students like Sarive can join learning programs for help with homework, numeracy, reading and technology. Sarive was eligible for a free laptop through our Digital Access program – through our Suncorp partnership. It helped her get the most from the technology-rich environment. – through our Suncorp partnership. It helped her get the most from the technology-rich environment. – through our Suncorp partnership. It helped her get the most from the technology-rich environment. – through our Suncorp partnership. It helped her get the most from the technology-rich environment.
“Through The Smith Family, I could access fantastic opportunities,” she says. “Extra encouragement and help allowed me to embrace my education. Guidance boosted my confidence. I developed a positive mindset about my education and other aspects of life.”
As Sarive moved into senior high school, her future was now looking much brighter – but she still didn’t know how to reach her post-school goals. What she needed most was someone to help plan a transition to university and beyond. Thanks to you, Sarive could join our iTrack program. She gained a mentor who gave her advice and encouraged her. Sarive enjoyed every session.
“My mentor guided me through my career pathways, study and workplace options,” she says. “At first I was shy to share my thoughts, but they opened my eyes to opportunities I had not explored. My mentor helped me build aspirations and reach for my goals. They showed me how to create a resume and gave me tips on how to study.”
Today Sarive has started a double degree in psychology and criminology. She has exciting plans for a career in social justice. Sarive loves university and is making the most of every moment. She has joined university societies and does internships and volunteer work. Sarive says: “This is a way to give back to the community that has given so much to my family and I.
“From a young age, I’ve felt immense gratitude at the prospect of attending university. I would not be where I am today without my mentor and Smith Family supporters. You have helped me strive and thrive and opened so many doors.”
Read more student and family stories in our Spring 2021 edition of Real People, Real Stories.
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