Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs Zac’s reconnecting with reading
27 June 2024
Zac always wants to do his best for himself and everyone around him. His mum, Sandra, laughs that – like most children – Zac doesn’t always love being at school. But the support of sponsorship has been a good thing for a boy who is quite shy.
“Zac has a very gentle nature and doesn't trust easily because of people letting us down,” says Sandra.
“But when he calls you his friend or tells you that he loves you he'll do absolutely anything for you and is very patient.”
“Zac has a very gentle nature and doesn't trust easily because of people letting us down,” says Sandra.
“But when he calls you his friend or tells you that he loves you he'll do absolutely anything for you and is very patient.”
When Zac’s dad passed away, it was a difficult time for him and Sandra. The hardship and stress had a lasting impact while the challenge of affording Zac’s school essentials grew. Sandra wanted the best for Zac – to make sure he had the same opportunities as his peers. But it was hard to afford it alone. When the family was connected with The Smith Family, Sandra and Zac started to feel the strain lift.
After being connected with a sponsor, Sandra and Zac are finally getting some relief. They’ve been provided with financial support to buy new school shoes, uniforms and pay for excursions. With these essential items taken care of, Zac has the same chance to engage with school as his peers.
We can’t thank you enough for your support and kind gestures
“It will help tremendously because every little bit helps and I'm grateful for this,” says Sandra.
Sandra keeps in close contact with Zac’s Learning for Life Coordinator. Access to this personalised support from his Coordinator is also a part of his sponsorship. Zac’s Coordinator works with Sandra to understand his literacy needs and helps connect him to our out-of-school learning and mentoring programs. One of these programs is student2student which helps develop essential reading skills.
student2student pairs students with trained buddies around the same age so they can read together. It helps boost confidence with reading, so Zac can engage fully in class. Sandra reflects on how much Zac’s buddy has helped him to reconnect with learning. He’s building a skill for life – one that will help him finish school and have more choices for his future.
“It helped him with being more confident reading aloud than he was before,” says Sandra.
“He read all different books and he did like reading with his buddy. She always asked about how he was, how was school, how many books he’d want to read today or if he wanted to read today. She was really nice.”
With the support of a sponsor like you, Zac has what he needs to thrive at school. Sandra is now helping to connect more families and students experiencing disadvantage with sponsorship.
“When I’ve spoken to our Learning for Life Coordinator, she has always asked how we are and how we are going. I’m also happy to be helping to get the word out to other families to get the support we have,” says Sandra.
Sandra and Zac continue to be each other’s greatest support. As Zac heads into Term 3, sponsorship will continue to unlock his ability to get the most out of school in this important stage of his life. They’re so grateful for everything sponsorship has offered.
“The one thing I would love to say to our sponsor is, we can’t thank you enough for your support and kind gestures,” says Sandra.
“Zac and I pray that you keep on helping and supporting The Smith Family and families in need, to help lighten their loads just a little bit. Zac and I thank you from our hearts and souls.”
