Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs Rebecca graduates from university
19 March 2015
Learning for Life sponsorship gave Rebecca the financial means and the motivation to pursue her goal of becoming a social worker. Without this support, Rebecca doesn't think she would have gone to university. "Once I'd finished Year 12, the support of my Smith Family sponsor meant that I could actually go to university," she says.
Rebecca received Learning for Life sponsorship for more than 10 years from primary school to university. "The school recognised that our family needed a lot of support. We struggled paying for things like textbooks and school uniforms.
"[Throughout my education] the sponsorship provided me with textbooks, travel tickets, school uniforms, shoes...all my practical needs," she says.
"The sponsorship through university made a huge difference as I was able to [do] my 'pracs' (practical assignments) without any financial burdens. I could just focus on my learning.
"I had a mentor as well (provided by The Smith Family) and she gave me guidance. That moral support was also a part of me getting through uni."Sophie’s acceptance into university has given her whole family hope. She is so grateful to sponsors and supporters for making it possible.
“[Without the support] my mum would still be worrying every night about how she was going to give me the future that she knew I deserved. The Smith Family resourced us not just financially, but mentally, emotionally and personally,” said Sophie.
It’s given us all a future and it’s given my mum herself again.
