Reading support grows confidence

When we connected with The Smith Family about five years ago, neither me or my partner were employed at the time.

It was a really big sigh of relief. Being on a Centrelink payment, the cost of living, plus everything for two kids at school and a new baby, was a lot of stress.

If we didn't have [the sponsorship], the kids may not have had as many supplies for school. They wouldn’t have had that confidence to be who they wanted to be or to interact with other children as much as they did.

Two of my kids have done the Student2Student reading program because they were falling behind in their reading level. I would get frustrated reading with them, and it was hard for me to help them. 

Student2Student really boosted the kids' confidence in reading out loud and in front of people. Because it was another child that was reading with them, I think they didn't feel as pressured into having to get it right. They ended up doing a lot better than when they felt pressured by an adult. 

The whole Learning for Life program, with the funding and having the ability to buy my kids a new uniform that’s the right size and has logos makes them feel included - that's a big boost for their confidence as well.

I'm grateful for the opportunities our Smith Family sponsors have given my family and children.'

Krystal, Learning for Life mother

Picture:  Paul Jeffers, The Age