Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs Support means Shakira’s dreams are now within reach
30 June 2022
Determined and passionate, 14-year-old Shakira has big plans for her future – to become a dance teacher and open her own studio one day.
Every child deserves the chance to achieve all they’re capable of. Poverty can put barriers in the way of some children and make their dreams seem out of reach. But thanks to her Smith Family sponsor, Shakira is well on her way to fulfilling her goal.
Shakira’s mum Samantha, who is a busy mother of four, said that sponsorship has made the world of difference to her daughter’s experience at school. “Shakira has autism, and she has often felt less included or confident than other children. But sponsorship has changed that.”
The financial support provided through sponsorship has meant Samantha can buy Shakira’s uniforms, school essentials, and a wetsuit for Ocean Sport Studies. “It has also helped to cover costs for excursions, so she can feel part of her school community and not lose friends due to financial problems,“ says Samantha. Shakira has even been able to attend a dance workshop through school. She’s now one step closer to fulfilling her dream. Samantha says this has meant the world to her daughter.
As part of sponsorship, students also get access to The Smith Family’s range of out-of-school learning and mentoring programs to help them catch up and keep up at school. Shakira says the learning support she has accessed has been really important for her, “The volunteer tutors at Learning Club helped me with my homework and made me feel I can do anything. It was amazing.”
No matter what life throws at us, there’s this support from The Smith Family. Thank you!
“Having four children with autism, it’s very hard to sit down with them all and help with homework,” Samantha says. “So the extra learning support from The Smith Family has been really helpful. Shakira has improved her reading and schoolwork – and it’s made her so much more confident and involved at school.”
The best thing about sponsorship is knowing Shakira can rely on it throughout her children’s education. Samantha says, “No matter what life throws at us, there’s this support from The Smith Family. Thank you!”
