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A sponsor helped David and now he’s a Champion

Supporters

07 December 2017

David knows what it is like to be a student in need. His single mum couldn’t work because of a heart condition, so finances were tight. Thankfully David was matched with a Smith Family sponsor when he was in primary school. But tragedy struck when his mum had a stroke when David was only 15 years old.

“My mum’s death hit my brothers and I very hard. Without assistance from The Smith Family, I do not know how life would have panned out,” says David, Learning for Life graduate.

Determined to hold the family together, David’s older brother took on guardianship of David and their younger brother. With continued financial support for the school essentials, David was able to finish high school and go on to tertiary study.

My sponsor gave me the opportunity to have a fair start on my studies. I was very grateful.

“High school was especially tough because mum wasn’t around. But my older brother, Joel, did the best he could to provide parental support along the way. He appreciated the ongoing support from The Smith Family,” said David.

“I wanted to learn more about engineering and be in the construction industry. Coming from a low socio-economic background, I didn’t know how I was going to afford the books and tools for my studies.

With a great career and financial independence, David is living proof of the effectiveness of our long-term education support. And becoming a Champion was a proud day for David. He loves knowing that his regular donations are opening doors for more disadvantaged students.

“I am successful in my career. I currently work as a key account manager for a construction company. My brothers and I live happy lives on comfortable wages,” said David.

“It was an easy choice to decide to give back to The Smith Family because I knew exactly how much it helped my family and me. I feel so good about being in a position to give somebody else the support that I was given.”

David and his mum and brother — David as a child with his mum and brother.