Transform a child’s future through community and education

When Michael’s* grandmother reached out for help, her words were simple and full of quiet urgency: “My grandson needs this. We have nowhere else to turn.”

Michael has lived with his grandmother since he was five days old. His mother has been in and out of prison, and his home life has been marked by instability and hardship. On top of this, Michael lives with a serious disability, and at just twelve years old, he requires spinal surgery. His education had fallen far behind, and despite his grandmother’s fierce love and dedication, they had reached a point where love alone wasn’t enough.

That’s when she found the Mary MacKillop Bursary Fund.

“I am 75 and won’t be around forever,” she shared. “What matters most to me is giving my grandchildren the tools and opportunities to build their own path and work hard for a better future.”

Because of the generous support of donors, the bursary fund was able to say “yes” to Michael. Today, he is enrolled in a Catholic school where he is not only catching up academically, but also growing in confidence. He has been embraced by a community that reminds him each day that he matters, that he belongs, and that his life has value.

His principal summed it up best: “We opened our arms to Michael… letting him know that he is worth our care and love. That he can make a difference. For the first time, he’s starting to believe he has something to offer.”

Sadly, not every child who applies to the fund can be helped. The need is great, and resources are limited. As Vicki Tanzer, Chair of the MacKillop Bursary Discernment Committee, shared, “I see a need every time we gather to review applications. But I also see hope. And I see the incredible difference your generosity is making in the lives of children like Michael.”

A gift to the Mary MacKillop Bursary Fund covers school fees, and offers a child stability, dignity, and the foundations of a hopeful future. One built on faith, learning, and community. And it gives caregivers the reassurance that they’re not alone in raising the next generation.

If you are in a position to help, your tax-deductible donation could change the course of a child’s life.

As St Mary MacKillop herself taught us: “Never see a need without doing something about it.”

*Names changed to protect the privacy of MacKillop Bursary Fund recipients.