Bringing hope to the kids
Kids Hope Aus connects primary schools with local churches to invest in the development and transformation of children through one-on-one mentoring.
All across Australia young children are experiencing life and family situations that cause stresses and challenges. Many children need extra support and assistance to get a good start in school and life due to circumstances beyond their control. Spending just one hour per week with their mentor is making a big difference in the lives of these precious children, who are showing developmental improvement in areas such as emotional, academic and social behaviours.
Spending just one hour per week with their mentor is making a big difference in the lives of these precious children.
Kids Hope has been operating in Australia since late 2003. After years of success working with public schools, this inspirational program has recently been introduced in independent schools.
Lutheran churches have been involved with Kids Hope for several years but the pairing of St Mark’s Lutheran Church and St Mark’s Lutheran School in Mount Barker, in the Adelaide Hills, is the first example of a Lutheran church teaming with a Lutheran school. The program has been operating at Mount Barker since Term 4 in 2015 and currently involves eight mentors from the church each meeting with their ‘mentee’ child from the school every week for one hour.
Church mentors complete screening and training before the participating school determines which children would most benefit from the program. Coordinators from the church and school then meet to work out which mentor will be the best fit for each child, before a suitable meeting time is organised. The meetings can consist of a wide range of activities, from sport, games, cooking and craft, to helping the child with their school work.
If your school or church would like to be involved or wants more information about Kids Hope Aus, visit the Kids Hope website.
Loredana Saracini is Deputy Principal of St Mark’s Lutheran School, Mount Barker SA
What the mentors say about Kids Hope …
‘It’s very special when I get to spend time with Bella*. Although I have only had three sessions with her, I feel I have known her for a long time. So far we have made cornflake crackles and iced cupcakes and she has read to me several times. I feel if I can help in any small way to give this little girl hope then I am happy to keep participating.’
– Val Schild from St Mark’s congregation
‘I have had several meetings with Jonathon*. On our first meeting we found that we were both interested in chess and had a game right away. He is a good player and from the four games we have played, I have won two, lost one and had a stalemate or draw in the other. We enjoy our time together and look forward to exploring other areas of common interest.’
– David Schild from St Mark’s congregation
* Children’s names have been changed for reasons of privacy.
What the children say …
‘I like Kids Hope because I get to read with my mentor. I get to talk about what I do on the weekend. We sometimes play games. I love my mentor because I get to spend time with him and get to know him.’
– Year 4 student
‘I like being with my mentor because I do fun stuff. We make cakes, we play games and go outside and play on the playground. We talk about lots of things like the things I worry about, what we will do on her next visit. I love my mentor.’
– Year 3 student
What the organisers say …
‘We thank our mentors for their service. Lutheran theologian Albert Schweitzer wrote, ‘The only thing of importance, when we depart, will be the traces of love we have left behind’. At St Mark’s we have every confidence these mentors will be long remembered for the impact they have made on their mentee child. In their work we see the loving heart of our Lord Jesus.
– Adrian Curtis, Kid’s Hope Coordinator for St Mark’s church, Mount Barker SA
This feature story comes from The Lutheran May 2016. Visit the website to find out more about The Lutheran or to subscribe.
