Eleven-year-old Aleya is finally keeping pace with her classmates at school, thanks to a “godsend” sponsorship that has eased her mother’s financial burdens.
Kingston mum of two Rebecca said the rising cost of living meant she often skipped meals so her children could participate in their education.
“Over the last few years especially, prices just seem to be going up,” she said.
“The food budget isn’t going as far as it used to, even with shopping at Aldi.
“I sometimes go without just to make sure the kids have got something.”
A recent survey by children’s charity The Smith Family found 60 per cent of families struggled to afford essential school items for their children this year, with the majority blaming the rising cost of living and increased school expenses.
More than one-in-six of the 2454 survey respondents said family financial pressures made the school year difficult for their child.
Rebecca’s daughter Aleya is one of 2200 children across Logan supported by The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program.
For Rebecca, that means the difference between being able to pay for Aleya’s school expenses, or not.
“There are all sort of things I wouldn’t be able to pay for if I didn’t have the extra help,” Rebecca said.
“Being able to have everything I need for her goes a long way to helping her get to where she needs for her learning.
“I might be a little short on the groceries sometimes, because I need to make sure I get things for her and her brother, but having the Smith Family has made things a lot easier.”
Aleya also participates in a peer-reading program to help boost her reading ability.
The program sees Aleya matched with another student who can help and encourage her learning.
Rebecca said the program, which Aleya has participated in for three years now, worked wonders.
“She wants to help someone else because it has helped her so much,” Rebecca said.
“The quality of life she is getting from being able to help her education has been immense.
“Being a part of the Smith Family has been a godsend.
“The cost of living has been painful, but as far as the schooling side of things for what Aleya needs, it has made things better.”
