When Indonesian eight-year-old Satria Bagus Dwi Kusuma heads to school with his books and new shoes on, the educators at Goodstart Kin Kora are partly to thank.
Satria is one of many children who are benefiting from the work of Compassion International which encourages organisations and individuals to sponsor children and release them from poverty.
Goodstart Kin Kora centre director Shae Young heard about the plight of young children in Indonesia at her local church and decided to take a stand.
She went back to her centre and drummed up support for the charity, and her educators were keen to take part.
Educator Nadia Bonnell said Mrs Young’s passion for the cause was catching and all of the staff and families now help raise between $40 and $80 per month.
“We all got on board and held different fundraising events during the year such as sausage sizzles and a cake stall for all of our children to become more aware of the wider community.
“One of our educators even visited Indonesia in the middle of year and visited Satria then and learnt how the money was used for his schooling, water and clothing.”
Satria lives with his mum and dad in Indonesia and attends level one at primary school, which is equivalent to Year 1. He has a sibling, and his father works but due to the low income his family struggles to survive.
“It’s great for the children to know there is a big wide world out there and that not everyone is as lucky as we are in Australia,” Ms Bonnell said. “It’s a cause that’s very close to Shane’s heart.”
The Kin Kora centre has recently launched a new free playgroup which is open to the community with sessions held every Friday from 10-11am.
Mrs Young said the activities would focus on building a child’s social skills and confidence.
“We believe that the first five years are the most important in a child’s life and we want to encourage school readiness at the same time as providing fun experiences for all children,” Mrs Young said.
Satria is one of many children who are benefiting from the work of Compassion International which encourages organisations and individuals to sponsor children and release them from poverty.
Goodstart Kin Kora centre director Shae Young heard about the plight of young children in Indonesia at her local church and decided to take a stand.
She went back to her centre and drummed up support for the charity, and her educators were keen to take part.
Educator Nadia Bonnell said Mrs Young’s passion for the cause was catching and all of the staff and families now help raise between $40 and $80 per month.
“We all got on board and held different fundraising events during the year such as sausage sizzles and a cake stall for all of our children to become more aware of the wider community.
“One of our educators even visited Indonesia in the middle of year and visited Satria then and learnt how the money was used for his schooling, water and clothing.”
Satria lives with his mum and dad in Indonesia and attends level one at primary school, which is equivalent to Year 1. He has a sibling, and his father works but due to the low income his family struggles to survive.
“It’s great for the children to know there is a big wide world out there and that not everyone is as lucky as we are in Australia,” Ms Bonnell said. “It’s a cause that’s very close to Shane’s heart.”
The Kin Kora centre has recently launched a new free playgroup which is open to the community with sessions held every Friday from 10-11am.
Mrs Young said the activities would focus on building a child’s social skills and confidence.
“We believe that the first five years are the most important in a child’s life and we want to encourage school readiness at the same time as providing fun experiences for all children,” Mrs Young said.