When Aliah first arrived from Syria with her family in 2020, she faced many challenges often experienced by refugees. With her English still developing and her parents unable to support schoolwork due to language barriers, learning often felt difficult and overwhelming.
Through the Opening Doors program, Aliah was matched with a volunteer who provided regular homework and learning support. When they first began working together, Aliah showed little interest in school beyond sport. She was reluctant to talk about her learning, struggled to stay focused during tasks, and lacked confidence in her academic abilities.
Rather than focusing solely on homework, our CARAD volunteer worked to create a supportive and respectful learning environment where Aliah felt safe, valued, and capable. Sessions were structured around her strengths and interests, with plenty of encouragement and opportunities for her to take the lead in her learning.
Over time, the change was remarkable.
Aliah arrived at sessions ready to share her schoolwork, proudly demonstrating online learning tools such as Mathletics and taking greater ownership of her learning. Her confidence grew, her engagement increased, and she became more willing to tackle challenges and complete tasks independently.
Access to her own laptop, which was gifted by a kind CARAD donor, further supported her progress, giving her greater independence and motivation to learn.
Today, Aliah is more confident, engaged, and positive about her education. Her story highlights the powerful impact that consistent volunteer support, encouragement, and meaningful relationships can have on a young person's learning journey.
At Opening Doors, volunteers do more than help with homework, they help young people build confidence, develop skills, and discover their potential.