Give Write exists to help school children get the most out of their education.
Starting each new school year can be an expensive exercise, with book lists, uniforms, shoes and school fees. Many families struggle to provide the basics, including the book list items needed for their children’s schoolwork.
Give Write take donations of new and pre-loved stationery and recycle, repackage and redistribute to kids in need so they have the tools to feel engaged and inspired to learn.
Our goals include…
Addressing poverty
According to the ‘Profile of Children and Young People in WA’ report by the Commissioner for Children and Young People Western Australia, as of February 2019, there are approximately 593 000 children and young people in WA, making up 23% of the population. Of this amount, around 44 000 of them are living below the poverty line.
There are approximately 6892 children and young people on the public housing waiting list. On June 30th 2017 there were 4795 children and young people in out of home care. Children in single parent families face a far higher risk of poverty, with nearly one in three children in single parent households living in poverty and one in seven in severe poverty. The number of single parent households in WA (by composition, 2016) totalled 89 718.
According to The Smith Family Annual Report (2016-2017), they currently sponsor over 38 000 disadvantaged students, with a further 4208 in urgent need of support.
Addressing the environment
In terms of reducing waste, pens often prove to be a difficult to recycle item. According to ecopromotions.com.au in Australia alone, over 140 million pens are sold annually, with the majority discarded after a single use and ending up as long-term problematic waste. This results in around 700 tonnes or 1100 cu metres of plastic waste being dumped in local government landfill sites across Australia.
We are delighted to be associated with innovative recycling company TerraCycle. Our donation bins are registered collection points for TerraCycle’s Writing Implements program. Donated pens and textas in working order go to helping kids in need; non-working ones are recycled through their excellent program.
Assisting teachers
The Australian Education Union’s State of Our Schools research report found that 93% of teachers use their own money to purchase supplies for their school or students and 25% of those – mostly primary teachers – spend more than $1000 a year on supplies. Of the 7804 teachers and principals surveyed, 78% buy stationery, 76% buy classroom equipment and 44% buy library resources and textbooks.
According to the Australia Education Union deputy president, the more disadvantaged the area, the more teachers are reliant on making their own purchases (as reported on the Sydney Morning Herald website smh.com.au 26/10/2018).
Teaching children about philanthropy
We know it is important for children to the significance of helping others in their community. Asking school kids to donate items that can make a big difference to someone who doesn’t have as much as they do, through no fault of their own, is a simple way to introduce them to the concept of philanthropy at an early age. Hopefully these are actions that will continue throughout their lives.
Studies in The White Paper for the John Templeton Foundation by the Greater Good Science Centre, UC Berkley, May 2018 report;
- Generous acts increase subjective well being, feelings of vitality and self esteem)*
- From The White Paper for the John Templeton Foundation by the Greater Good Science Centre, UC Berkley, May 2018.
- Generous acts may also change the way people view the world, making them value cooperation, interdependence, and their own good fortune (Lyubomirsky, Sheldon, & Schkade, 2005).
- Encouraging young children to see helping as part of their identity may nurture their generous behaviors (Bryan et al., 2014).
Helping Western Australian Students to do their best
We hope by providing the right learning tools, that all WA students have an opportunity to make the best of their education, and not feel disengaged, ostracised or less than they are because of an inability to source supplies through circumstances beyond their control.