By CASEY NEILL
KELLY Cairns wouldn’t be where she is today without The Smith Family.
The Narre Warren 21-year-old received motivation and empowerment through the Learning for Life program from about grade six.
Thanks to the support she’s done what her parents and older siblings couldn’t – she finished year 12 and went on to complete a bachelor of zoology and animal science at Deakin University.
She’s now an education officer at Myuna Farm in Doveton.
“If I didn’t have them, I wouldn’t have been able to go to tertiary education at all,” Kelly said.
“It’s not just the financial side – they help you with everything.
“It is actually someone that’s caring and with you every step of the way.”
The Smith Family’s Dandenong team covers 817 Learning for Life sponsored students in Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia. Breaking the cycle of disadvantage is its aim.
She and her younger siblings joined the program at her primary school principal’s suggestion.
At the time her dad was unemployed and there were six kids in the family.
“It means the world when you’re struggling and someone else is out there supporting you,” she said.
At age 18 Kelly moved from her then-home in Noble Park to Geelong to attend university.
She finished the final year of her course online after her parents’ financial difficulties brought her home to lend support.
“It was very tough. A few times I couldn’t really see the end,” she said.
“Having your co-ordinator there on the end of the phone was amazing.
“They assure you everything’s going to be OK.”
A masters of education is her next goal to extend the work she’s already doing with school groups at Myuna Farm.
“I know how much it means for people to get that education and get that skill and start young,” she said.
