Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs Sponsorship helps Audrina find her voice
11 March 2024
To say single mum Melita was busy is an understatement. When she wasn’t raising her daughter Audrina, now 12, she was working in aged care. And she was caring for her elderly mother.
This proud Gamilaroi woman from the Riverina region was also providing kinship care for nieces and nephews. As she was putting her heart and soul into caring for all these people, she was struggling financially herself. “I’d lost my home and was just making ends meet on a casual wage,” Melita says
This proud Gamilaroi woman from the Riverina region was also providing kinship care for nieces and nephews. As she was putting her heart and soul into caring for all these people, she was struggling financially herself. “I’d lost my home and was just making ends meet on a casual wage,” Melita says
Melita’s priority was to ensure Audrina had all the support she needs while growing up. She wanted her daughter to feel confident and to participate fully in class without being held back by adversity.
But Melita had so many responsibilities. Without more support, she couldn’t give her daughter every chance to thrive.
Then through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program, Audrina was connected to a sponsor like you. She now had a whole team of people helping her become all that she could be.
But Melita had so many responsibilities. Without more support, she couldn’t give her daughter every chance to thrive.
Then through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program, Audrina was connected to a sponsor like you. She now had a whole team of people helping her become all that she could be.
I want her to beat the past barriers our family members have faced, and her sponsor is helping her do that,
“This opportunity restored my faith in our community,” Melita says. “The Smith Family became part of our village.”
Audrina’s sponsorship provided crucial financial support. Now she could have the essentials she needed for school. “I could afford to get Audrina the basics like uniforms, shoes, bags, pens, pencils and books,” says Melita.
Audrina’s sponsorship provided crucial financial support. Now she could have the essentials she needed for school. “I could afford to get Audrina the basics like uniforms, shoes, bags, pens, pencils and books,” says Melita.
She
could also participate in extra-curricular activities with her
classmates. “Sponsorship allowed Audrina to get involved in netball.
This helped develop her social skills and connected her to the community,” Melita explains
Additionally, with her sponsorship, Audrina could access The Smith Family’s out-of-school learning programs like student2student. This reading program came at a critical time, as she was struggling with reading. That soon changed, thanks to her wonderful buddies Savannah and Bella, with whom she’d read over the phone. Their friendship and encouragement lit a spark in Audrina!
Additionally, with her sponsorship, Audrina could access The Smith Family’s out-of-school learning programs like student2student. This reading program came at a critical time, as she was struggling with reading. That soon changed, thanks to her wonderful buddies Savannah and Bella, with whom she’d read over the phone. Their friendship and encouragement lit a spark in Audrina!
“Audrina’s
growth in reading has excelled,” Melita says. “She has climbed reading
levels confidently and improved in spelling tests.
All children need learning support to succeed at school. And when students like Audrina receive this support through sponsorship, it creates a positive cycle in their life. As her reading skills improved, Audrina built up her confidence and felt encouraged to apply herself in other areas. She could see exciting possibilities all around.
She discovered a new passion: public speaking. Audrina’s school gave her lots of opportunities and she excelled.
“Audrina presented the Uluru Statement in front of 500 people at a public information session,” Melita says. “The Elders and many community members congratulated Audrina on doing an awesome job.”
Melita’s number one wish is for Audrina to be happy and follow her heart and passions. It fills Melita with hope to know she is part of a village that gives Audrina the same opportunity as other students to achieve her best.
“I want her to beat the past barriers our family members have faced, and her sponsor is helping her do that,” she says.
“I hope you know how life-changing your support is. You’ve given children like her stepping stones to take on the path to more amazing opportunities.”
All children need learning support to succeed at school. And when students like Audrina receive this support through sponsorship, it creates a positive cycle in their life. As her reading skills improved, Audrina built up her confidence and felt encouraged to apply herself in other areas. She could see exciting possibilities all around.
She discovered a new passion: public speaking. Audrina’s school gave her lots of opportunities and she excelled.
“Audrina presented the Uluru Statement in front of 500 people at a public information session,” Melita says. “The Elders and many community members congratulated Audrina on doing an awesome job.”
Melita’s number one wish is for Audrina to be happy and follow her heart and passions. It fills Melita with hope to know she is part of a village that gives Audrina the same opportunity as other students to achieve her best.
“I want her to beat the past barriers our family members have faced, and her sponsor is helping her do that,” she says.
“I hope you know how life-changing your support is. You’ve given children like her stepping stones to take on the path to more amazing opportunities.”
Read more student and family stories in our Autumn 2024 edition of Real People, Real Stories.
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