Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs With her sponsor beside her, Tiba is unstoppable
12 July 2021
We first arrived in Sydney from Jordan; everything was new to us. My dad had passed away, so mum was supporting us on her own. I was so young, I didn’t realise the financial hardship we faced. Now that I support myself, I know how stressful it would have been for my mum.
Mum struggled to pay our bills and rent, but she never wanted us to miss out on the things our classmates had — uniforms, stationery, school camps, and a laptop.
Mum struggled to pay our bills and rent, but she never wanted us to miss out on the things our classmates had — uniforms, stationery, school camps, and a laptop.
When I was in Year 5, we were introduced to The Smith Family and I was placed on sponsorship. This took away some of mum’s worries and brought us stability at school. I could ask her for the things I needed in class without putting her under extra pressure. I could focus on my learning and fit in at school.
And with the support of my sponsor, I didn’t have to leave school early to work full time and provide. I could keep moving forward. I finished Year 12 and made it to university. I’m doing a double degree in international business, international relations, and politics.
I’ve had to relocate for university and now need to support myself. I need to juggle my education costs with rent, bills and transport. The cost of university textbooks is unbelievable — hundreds of dollars each. In high school, I could borrow textbooks from the library but here in university, they are not always available. But because of my sponsor, I can afford to get what I need. And I can ease back on work a bit and focus on getting good marks.
And with the support of my sponsor, I didn’t have to leave school early to work full time and provide. I could keep moving forward. I finished Year 12 and made it to university. I’m doing a double degree in international business, international relations, and politics.
I’ve had to relocate for university and now need to support myself. I need to juggle my education costs with rent, bills and transport. The cost of university textbooks is unbelievable — hundreds of dollars each. In high school, I could borrow textbooks from the library but here in university, they are not always available. But because of my sponsor, I can afford to get what I need. And I can ease back on work a bit and focus on getting good marks.
To my sponsor, I want to say thank you so much. Having your continued support feels so good; like I can do anything without hesitating. I feel unstoppable. With your help, I can achieve my dreams.
The support I receive is so much more than financial — it’s emotional and practical too. My Learning for Life Coordinator Josh is always there to help. He will call to see how I’m going. I can be having a challenging time and under huge pressure. Exams are on, and I still have work. Then I’ll get a call from Josh, checking up on me. Just having that support and knowing someone is there for me, makes me feel, ‘Alright, I can do it’.
With the help of my sponsor, I will get a degree, have a stable job and enjoy my life. My education will give me so many opportunities. I will be an asset in the community.
To my sponsor, I want to say thank you so much. Having your continued support while I’m at university feels so good; like I can do anything without hesitating. I feel unstoppable. With your help, I can achieve my dreams. It’s really empowering.
With the help of my sponsor, I will get a degree, have a stable job and enjoy my life. My education will give me so many opportunities. I will be an asset in the community.
To my sponsor, I want to say thank you so much. Having your continued support while I’m at university feels so good; like I can do anything without hesitating. I feel unstoppable. With your help, I can achieve my dreams. It’s really empowering.
