Helping refugee families in Melbourne start the school year with school essentials

As schoolkids in Melbourne looked forward to returning to school after a disrupted 2020, an Australian retailed stepped up to help refugee and asylum seeker families in the western suburbs give their kids the supplies they need to start the new school year right.

Via GIVIT, Smiggle donated well over 250 items including school bags, lunchboxes, drink bottles and pencil cases to West Welcome Wagon.

West Welcome Wagon (WWW) is a volunteer-run not-for-profit that provides material aid and support to refugees and asylum seekers in Melbourne's west, including areas like Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong and Wyndham. Assisting more than 800 families, including more than 500 with school-aged children from more than 30 different countries, WWW provides donations for refugees including furniture, bedding, clothing, children's toys and appliances. 

WWW Chairman Chris Scarris said the children would love the back to school packs. He said the organisation usually helps between 200 and 300 children each school year, but had already reach out to 450 children this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While donating stationery might not seem ground-breaking, the items are hugely important for children settling in a new country. They face challenges such as adjusting to a new culture, a new language and a new way of life. In these new and often scary places, the right school supplies make young people feel seen and welcomed.

Many refugee families face financial problems because they cannot obtain employment. As a result, school supplies may not be a top priority compared to weekly food. These donations will help asylum seeker children have the same items as other kids at school.

GIVIT provides school supplies for disadvantaged students at school and territory or TAFE to ensure they can finish their education opportunity. This callout is not only for kids. It runs all year and helps students of any age. GIVIT supports those facing challenges that are blocking their chance to continue their studies. Browse requests for help to finish TAFE qualifications  here.

Not sure how to help asylum seekers in Australia? You can use GIVIT's keyword search on the 'what's needed' list to search for requests in Melbourne to support refugees or asylum seekers.

Unfortunately the end of the holidays isn’t the only time organisations request school donations. The charity West Welcome Wagon requested these items as part of our Back to School Appeal. Frontline organisations urgently need donations to help young people all year. Receiving these school donations at the start of each term is important.