Learning For Life: ‘If You Can Read, You Can Do Anything!'

Missy has found her confidence, thanks to The Smith Family

- Brigid Auchettl

When foster mum Colleen found herself struggling with mounting school costs for her granddaughter Missy, she was overjoyed when The Smith Family stepped in to help.

Colleen, who took Missy in through foster care when she was just eight weeks old, couldn’t be more grateful for the helping hand that allowed Missy to have all she needs to fit in at school.

“Life before The Smith Family was fairly tough – we had to budget like most families,” says Colleen, who lives in regional NSW. “I don’t have the financial stress of school uniforms and school bags any more. That takes that burden off me.

“We have sponsors for Missy to have uniforms, school shoes and whatever bags she wanted for school just like the rest of the children – so that she didn’t feel like she was different from anybody else.”

Ten-year-old Missy, who affectionately calls Colleen her “Nan”, was beginning fourth grade when she was sponsored through The Smith Family “Learning for Life” program two years ago.