But there was no way for Zoey’s parents to pay for a laptop and everything the others needed. “A big worry was that my kids would get teased at school for not having the latest equipment and supplies,” says Connie.
Thanks to kind sponsors like you, Zoey and her three siblings received Learning for Life sponsorship. It covered the education essentials for all four children and the family could now buy a laptop for Zoey.
In schools today, it’s vital that children in Australia have access to digital tools and an internet connection. Having her own device for school has opened up Zoey’s world. She says: “My favourite things about starting high school were getting the laptop and making new friends.”
Zoey has also been able to join The Smith Family's learning programs, to help her reach her potential. She reads on the phone each week with a student buddy in our student2student - a peer reading program where students are partnered with an older student mentor who helps them learn to read over the phone. This has improved her literacy skills, which will be vital for doing well at school and for the jobs of the future. After school, our Learning Club is a place Zoey goes each week. The safe and supportive environment provides volunteer tutors to help her get the most out of digital learning and stay on top of homework.
