Year 8s take action: will you help?

A little help goes a long way

Hello, we're Mia and Phoebe from Year 8D,

We are Year Eight students, who, as part of our 20% Project are running a charity called a ''A Little Help''. We provide children in crisis with packs of essentials for their first night away from home. For example; children going into foster care, women's refuges and children that are affected by domestic violence.

Children that are removed from their home in urgent situations are generally taken with nothing: no clothes (apart from what they’re wearing), no toys not even a toothbrush. Sometimes they must leave in the middle of the night. This is where we come in. We wish for every child to have something of their own. We would like to provide every child with a little bit of help. Your little bit of help will provide these children with essentials for their first night away from home.

Take a moment and imagine that right now whether you're at school, work or home and the department of human services tap you on the shoulder and say, "You need to come with me right now." No phone call, no belongings, no one you know, nothing... You've been told you must go live with a stranger, you have no voice. Imagine for one second walking into a home that smells different, looks different and feels different. Nothing that's familiar and none of your belongings. Or if you’re in a domestic violence situation and you leave home like you would every other day unaware that you'll never get to go back home again. This is just two of the possible situations. That's why we think every child needs to go into a new home with something of their own.

These are some examples of what the children will be provided with:

• Children from 0-2 will be provided with: A onesie, wipes, nappies, socks, a teddy bear and dummy.
• Children from age 2-10 will be provided with: a brand-new set of clothes, a toothbrush-toothpaste, a bag, a teddy bear, a packet of pocket tissues, a hair brush/comb, underwear and a cozy pair of socks.
• Teenage girls will be provided with: deodorant, a toothbrush and toothpaste, pocket tissues, sanitary pads, a hairbrush, a toiletry bag, hair ties, a notebook and pen and soap.
• Teenage boys will be provided with: deodorant, a toiletry bag, pocket tissues, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and a note book and pen.

We would greatly appreciate any donations or purchases at a discount price. We will acknowledge any donations or discounts on our social media accounts (eg Facebook) and on our ‘gofundme’ page https://www.gofundme.com/3pncb-a-little-help

For more information, you can email: alittlehelp.mp@gmail.com