INSPIRE CHANGE

On Friday, July 19, the Pyjama Foundation will be holding its annual National Pyjama Day, so you’ve never before had a better excuse to wear your PJS to the office.

“The event is our biggest fundraiser of the year, where we encourage schools and businesses to wear their pyjamas and raise vital funds to support our program,” Pyjama Foundation Darling Downs coordinator, Karen Smith, said.

The Foundation is a not–for–profit charity, empowering children in foster care with learning, life skills and confidence to take on the future.

Volunteers are recruited, screened and trained, before being matched with a child in care to inspire them with a love of learning.

Funds raised on National Pyjama Day will go directly towards the recruitment and training of more ‘pyjama angels’, as well as learning

resources like books, puzzles and educational games.

“This program is vitally important, as 92 per cent of children in care fall below the average reading level by the age of seven,” Karen said.

She feels that, with the help of pyjama angels, many children start to believe in themselves and their ability to tackle tasks they may have never thought possible.

One of these pyjama angels, is Bronwen Kent.

Shortly after joining the Foundation, she was matched with a child in care and has been visiting the same child since October 2017 for an hour each week.

“It’s rewarding to be able to help children develop their self–confidence,” Bronwen said.

“The change can be subtle and come over many months,” she said, explaining that the child’s relationship with her grows each time she visits.

“I know I’m only one step in the process of this child developing positive relationships, but it’s a vital step and I hope they enjoy our weekly catch–ups for a few more years,” she said.

With more than 48,000 children currently in foster care and approximately 32,250 of them not completing high school, it has never been more important to help these children be more than they think they can be.