2,227 children urgently need support before they head back to school.

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- Literacy programs
  Providing resources and support to help children living with disadvantage achieve the required reading standard.
- Technology programs
  Providing children and young people living with disadvantage with the critical skills, access, and equipment they need.
- Numeracy programs
  We support early years educators and community professionals in building foundational math skills in children under their care.
- Learning for Life
  Learning for Life is an innovative, evidence-based program that supports students throughout their education to achieve positive long-term outcomes for young people experiencing disadvantage.
- Mentoring programs
  Mentoring programs for students living with disadvantage that provide the encouragement they need to build aspirations for their future.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs
  Our work engages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in learning through education, life skills and role models, promoting culturally responsive practice.
Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
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- Workplace giving
  Making small, regular donations to The Smith Family through Workplace Giving is an easy way to help change the lives of young Australians living in poverty.
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Your support helps Koko step into the spotlight

06 March 2026

10-year-old Koko looks up from her book and calls out. “Hey, mum! Did you know an octopus has blue blood and three hearts?”

It’s a moment that shows how far Koko has come – through her hard work, her teachers’ support, and the generosity of people like you.

“Koko used to really struggle at school,” says mum Mahalia. “She really didn't have much interest in reading, because she didn't know how to pronounce words. She was reading at a very low level.”

Every child in Australia should have the chance to build strong reading foundations – the crucial skill that unlocks all learning and confidence. By Year 3, halfway through primary school, reading should be well established. Yet 1 in 3 students from low-income families are still behind.¹

Without extra support, the impacts of poverty on learning can stack up quickly, making it harder for a child to keep pace – and even harder to catch up if they fall behind.

That’s why your support can be so life-changing for children like Koko. Through the student2student program, Koko was partnered with a reading buddy two years older than her. Together they read 2-3 times a week over 18 weeks.

“It’s really fun having a reading buddy that’s only a couple of years older than me,” says Koko. “We’ve explored different books together and I’ve gone up so many reading levels.”

Timely access to programs proven to boost skills and confidence is vital for children who risk falling behind due to disadvantage. Mahalia saw this transformation in Koko’s reading.

two sisters standing side by side smiling together

a young school girl wearing a black jumper sitting in a playground

“Since student2student she's reading so much more, and her vocabulary and her pronunciations are so much better. She’s reading so many books. She loves animal books filled with fun facts.”

Koko’s story shows how support given at the right time can help a child overcome poverty’s impact to build core skills and see their confidence soar.

“Koko’s quite a shy child, but she even has the confidence now to put her hand up in class and read in front of everyone. Without student2student, her reading, writing and confidence wouldn't be where they are today. It’s wonderful.”

Koko loves school now. She’s really excelled thanks to student2student.

Mahalia

a mother smiling with her daughters together on a lounge

Read more student and family stories in our Autumn 2026 edition of Your Support, Real Impact.

¹2025, NAPLAN National Results Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority.