The Mercury Sunday Times More. In an advertising campaign that varies little from World Vision appeals, Australians are being asked to sponsor the public education of tens of thousands of children in their own country. The money is to help families of the children meet the costs of public education and is used for basic needs such as text books, school shoes and class excursions.
Sponsors can choose to pay monthly or yearly.
While the identity of the child is protected, financial donors are provided with a student profile, with some personal information about the sponsored child, including first name, age, subject choices and hobbies. At the end of the year, they receive a progress report on the student. According to Smith Family research, this will represent 10 per cent of children living in financially disadvantaged families. So far, according to strategic marketing manager Andrew Young, the money has been well spent. Mr Young said by the end of the financial year, there would be 9500 more children in the program than at the same time last year, when there were 7000 children.