Help provide vital educational support to 11,705 Australian children this Christmas.

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  Providing resources and support to help children living with disadvantage achieve the required reading standard.
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  We support early years educators and community professionals in building foundational math skills in children under their care.
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  Mentoring programs for students living with disadvantage that provide the encouragement they need to build aspirations for their future.
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  Our work engages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in learning through education, life skills and role models, promoting culturally responsive practice.
Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
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Ways to Give
- Sponsor a child
  Through child sponsorship, you will be matched to an Australian child in need, helping to support the cost of their school essentials.
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  Making small, regular donations to The Smith Family through Workplace Giving is an easy way to help change the lives of young Australians living in poverty.
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Child Sponsorship
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Sponsorship has given Cooper the confidence to thrive at school

Sponsored students

06 May 2019

“My sons are not pointed out as the poor kids now. It’s nice to get that help from their sponsors so they don’t have to suffer or feel less than anyone else, like I did at school,” said Cooper’s mum, Amanda.

Before sponsorship, 10-year-old Cooper tried to make himself invisible at school. He felt like an outsider and the stress of it affected his education. But thanks to his sponsors, Cooper now fits in.

“Cooper wasn’t learning because he was too worked up. He would wear his hoodie to hide himself, even in the middle of summer,” said Amanda.

“With sponsorship there isn’t so much of a struggle to get his books and uniforms and pay for excursions. It really helps that Cooper doesn’t miss out on those things.”

Sponsorship also connects families with a Learning for Life Coordinator and our out-of-school learning programs. Cooper’s coordinator enrolled him in our after-school Learning Club. These clubs offer a supportive space where students receive homework help from volunteer tutors. And it was just what Cooper needed.

“At Learning Club Cooper has made friends and he can relax. Now the learning is coming because he is not on edge all of the time. The tutors are so encouraging, which has really boosted Cooper’s confidence,” said Amanda.

“He’s a different child now. His grades at school have picked up dramatically in all subjects.”

Cooper really enjoys the science experiments at Learning Club and is determined to keep doing his best in class.

“School is easier now. My favourite subject is maths. It’s going to get me a good degree so I can get a good job,” said Cooper.

Amanda is so grateful for the help of sponsors like you for empowering children to reach their potential.

“I want my boys to have every opportunity to make the most of their lives. Saying thank you to Cooper’s sponsors just doesn’t seem enough!” said Amanda.

Our sponsors individually helped change the lives of more than 62,822 Australian children like Cooper last year.

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