FAMILY TIES

When it comes to education, The Smith Family has a simple mission – to make sure no Australian child misses out

Asense of belonging is a fundamental human need, one nourished in myriad ways, from common language and shared experience to equality. But in a world where the playing field isn’t level, it’s not something that comes automatically. And that’s something Nada knows only too well.

Now in her 30s, married and a mum, the sales account executive arrived in Australia in 2002 as a refugee from Serbia when she was 13. The Smith Family came into her life shortly afterwards, helping to support her studies.

“It would have been difficult for my parents to afford to send me and my sister to uni without assistance,” says Nada.

“It was so hard for them, having lost their belongings, being refugees after the war. As much as it’s still getting assistance from an organisation, there is a level of dignity with The Smith Family. I recall having to send my grades in, that’s obviously linked to due diligence, but it was also a bit of a motivation – to know there’s a family out there that’s providing assistance to people like me to be able to afford books. I wanted to show I was passing my subjects and doing a good job. You kind of felt like you owed that to the people

There’s not always cash for even basic supplies

that were supporting you and giving you that opportunity.

“When I got older and had the opportunity, I became a sponsor as well… it only makes sense to be able to give back.”

And it’s all made possible through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program.

MISSION OF CARE

Designed to create better futures for children in need, this program is focused on sponsoring children’s education. And with this year’s Back to School appeal running until March, the theme is especially poignant – ‘missing out’. As the charity’s team explains: “No-one wants to miss out on opportunities or experiences they can see others enjoying or benefitting from. Yet we all know of, or have been, ‘that child’ – the one who is left behind on excursions; who doesn’t fit in with the other kids; who misses out in the classroom and the playground. We believe no child should miss out.”

This is especially critical when you take into account such ongoing issues as the financial hardships caused by COVID-19 and research showing, for example, that by age 15, young people experiencing disadvantage can be as much as three years behind in core subjects such as literacy and numeracy. It’s a sobering reminder that poverty in childhood will often have a lifelong impact on health, education and employment outcomes.

CALL TO ACTION

Through its decades of experience, The Smith Family knows support from the earliest years can break the cycle of disadvantage. That’s why Learning for Life takes a multi-pronged approach, including financial help for essentials such as uniforms, textbooks, digital devices and excursions, and ongoing access to out-of-school learning and mentoring programs.

To sponsor a child is $52 a month, tax deductible, with a two-way relationship encouraged to foster communication. For a full guide on ways to help, see the charity’s website.

Nada (pictured) has found her happy ending, one The Smith Family looks to emulate for the 1 in 6 Aussie youths growing up in poverty.