Kid's Hope Australia

VOLUNTEERS ARE SPECIAL

When my mentee's teacher told me not to come to school the following week to mentor as they would be away on camp, I jokingly asked if there might be someone's suitcase I could go in! With over half the class volunteering to let me go in their suitcases and confirmation from School Admin that I was most welcome to go along, I felt that this was one opportunity not to be missed! I've just returned from the camp. I'm tired, but feel very content having spent three busy, noisy days with the class, being a friend and assisting as directed by very dedicated teachers. What a privilege!

KIDS HOPE AUS. is an exciting program developed through World Vision to reach out to children in need and is making a very real difference in the lives of many children. Meaningful relationships with caring adults helps to build children's resilience so they are better equipped to handle the pressures of life.

KIDS HOPE AUS. is a mentoring program that helps Australian children needing additional support, and their families. Through a partnership between local churches and primary schools, Kids Hope Aus. works to improve opportunities for mentored children in the areas of education, self confidence and wellbeing.

For one hour each week, a caring adult from the church mentors a child needing additional support at their school. This usually involves helping the child with homework, playing games, arts and crafts, or just spending time together.

KIDS HOPE AUS. assists churches to recruit and prepare caring mentors for ongoing mentoring relationships with vulnerable children. Churches are responsible for appointing a paid coordinator (salary or honorarium) to run the program with the assistance of World Vision. © Copyright World Vision Australia 2008. All rights reserved. Used with permission. http://www.worldvision.com.au/ or call 13 32 40.

St Stephen's Anglican Church is partnered with Bayswater South Primary School. The program is in its commencement phase, with the first mentors starting their one hour a week mentoring in term two of 2009.

Mentors are long-standing members of the church community, who volunteer to give one hour a week of their time to mentor a child and provide educational, emotional and social support for that child.

Ainslie Ellis is the coordinator for the program. Ainslie recruits and trains the mentors, provides ongoing support for mentors and is the liaison point with the school. She also identifies prayer partners for each mentor and child.

Mentors are trained and supported and that support is ongoing. The classroom teacher will support you and you will have a prayer partner who will pray for you and your child during that hour.

Are you able to make a difference in the life of a child? Do you have a heart to reach out and make that difference? Could you invest one hour a week in the life of a child?

If you don't have the time to be a mentor or a prayer partner, there are other ways in which you can assist with this exciting outreach program. You can pray for the program at any time. You might like to come along to a training session and set up for morning tea or help prepare lunch or wash the dishes afterwards. You might be able to donate some books or board games in good condition that your family no longer uses. You might offer to keep the craft box stocked and tidy or just do some photocopying.