Sponsor a child
Become a Learning for Life Sponsor
In Australia today, one in seven children lives in a household where no resident parent is employed.*1 Because of their family's financial situation, many of these children are already at a disadvantage to their classmates before they even begin school. For example, few of these children have the benefit of early childhood learning opportunities. Many will have experienced very little reading time with their parents. Some don't have access to vital education resources, such as reference books or the internet.
When a child doesn't have the basics, such as a school bag, the right sports gear or a complete uniform, they're often made to feel shunned, isolated or excluded. Some are at risk of facing social isolation for life, and feeling this way makes it even harder for them to develop self-esteem or confidence.
When children are left out, they get left behind. Without support, many disadvantaged kids will never have an equal chance to reach their full potential. This means the disadvantage they experience today is likely to continue into adulthood - and on to the next generation.
Your sponsorship can help to change that. We know that supporting a child's education and learning is one of the most effective ways of unlocking opportunities in later life. You can be part of this by sponsoring an Aussie child. At the same time, you'll also be helping us to build stronger families and more cohesive communities
By providing direct financial assistance for the essentials a Learning for Life sponsorship means a child can get the most out of their education. As students progress through their education sponsorships increase in value in order to meet their growing financial needs. Sponsorships range from $324 for primary school children to $2000 for post-secondary students per annum.
Since 1988, more than 40,000 children have been able to build a better future through Learning for Life thanks to the support of caring Australians who have become their sponsors. Through a Learning for Life sponsorship you can give an Australian child an equal opportunity to get the most out of life.
What you receive as a sponsor
When you become a sponsor, you will receive:
- A Learning for Life Welcome Kit - containing all the necessary information about your sponsorship.
- Your student's Profile - completed by your student to introduce themselves to you. This is updated annually.
Each year you will receive:
- A progress update - a questionnaire completed by your student to update you on their personal news and achievements.
- Our newsletter - everyone's family. As part of The Smith Family - 'everyone's family' - you'll hear about the success of the Learning for Life program.
You can also write to your student - many sponsors and their students find this an extremely rewarding part of the program. As you are sponsoring an Australian child, surnames, addresses and photographs cannot be shared.
Learning for Life success stories
As a teenager growing up in Sydney's south west, becoming a lawyer wasn't something twenty three year old Karen ever thought too seriously about. In 2004, Karen graduated from the Learning for Life program and is now working at a prestigious Sydney law firm. Read more success stories about Karen and other students like her.
* References: 1. ABS data available on request. Survey of Income and Housing, 2004-05. 2. A hand up not a hand out: Renewing the fight against poverty, 2004.
