Assist A Student
The Assist A Student Program recognises the importance of education as key to helping break the cycle of poverty.
One of the most positive ways of helping families in need throughout Asia and the Pacific to become self-sufficient is through education. It is known that education improves a young person’s opportunity of getting a job, increasing their ability to support themselves and their families in the future.
It is a means of empowering an individual to avoid poverty. The students supported by the Assist A Student Program may not be able to attend school without it: without education, a child is less likely to be able to support themselves in the future and so the cycle of poverty continues.
“You can see among your students … they lack money for the fees and things like that.... It’s really rewarding seeing the ones that are receiving this funding. To me, it’s just great to see them working better because they have those tools.”
- Rabaere Rikare, National President, Kiribati (2023)
Running in Australia since 1996, the Assist A Student program relies on donations from Vincentians, members of the public, schools and other groups and organisations to support the educational needs of a student in one of our partner countries. Students are supported at all levels of education – primary, secondary and tertiary and the program is highly valued by recipients.
In our partner countries, local Vincentians select students in need to receive the educational support and manage the program. Over the last fifteen years, nearly 65,000 students have been assisted.
One of the program’s strongest and most attractive features is that administration costs are minimal and entirely funded by the Society. 100% of your donation goes to the students’ education needs for one year.
““My favourite subject is English and I attend Primary School. I live with my mother, grandfather and sister and during my free time I help my mum doing housework and I read. AAS funds have helped with purchasing books, uniforms, and other equipment.” ”
““I am 7 years old, attend Primary School and live with my grandmother. I study Maths, Music, Art, English and Science. Art is my favourite subject. I help my grandmother around the house with work. AAS assistance helped me purchase books, uniform, school fees, travel to school, meal and extra course fees.” ”
Reflecting the ethos of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Assist A Student allow us to share some of ourselves – what we have – with those in need in our neighbouring countries.
To help a young person with their education, donate online at:
Assist a Student (vinnies.org.au)
Or
Learn more about our Overseas Partnerships Program
Twinning
A supportive partnership between a St Vincent de Paul Society council or conference in Australia and an overseas partner country.
Projects
We help Conferences and Councils in our partner countries undertake good works through local development projects that are sustainable and benefit their community.
Emergency Relief
When natural or humanitarian disasters impact their country, our overseas partners or CIAD may ask Australia for assistance.