Backpacks

Our Annual Literacy Backpack Project is almost complete in time for children to go back to school. This innovative project was started last year (2006) to support the educational needs of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Funds were raised to purchase backpacks that we filled with educational supplies. Considerable thought was placed into purchasing these items so that they were attractive to young people and that they felt comfortable attending school with the “right” materials. Items such as brightly coloured gel pens, textas, coloured pencils, glitter glue, lunch boxes and exercise books were included.

In January 2006 we delivered 50 backpacks to Big Brothers Big Sisters. They chose young people from their Mentoring Program, living across Melbourne, to receive the backpacks.

In January 2007 we are delivering 50 backpacks to areas affected by the bushfires so children can have a bright start to the school year.

In January 2008 we are delivering 50 backpacks to the Mirabel Foundation who assist children who have been orphaned or abandoned due to parental illicit drug use and are now in the care of extended family (kinship care). The Foundation believes that every child deserves a childhood and its mission is to break the destructive cycle of addiction.