At this time of year, when we rush around and organize back to school and lament at how much it all costs, it’s easy to forget how lucky we really are.

I am so grateful that my kids get a fantastic education.

I am so grateful that I can afford to buy them uniforms, shoes and school supplies.

Many children around the world and right here in Australia, are not so lucky.

I consider it a privilege to help out those children where I can.

Here are some organizations that need help.

* The Smith Family run a yearly appeal to sponser a school child in need. Watch the video here. It breaks my heart. We have all known children who haven’t quite fitted in at school.

“Right now, the sad reality is that 605,700 dependent children and young people are living in jobless families, and they urgently need our help.

At school, these children don’t have the basics like a school bag, complete uniform or the schoolbooks they need to make the most of their education. They are often teased or left out by other students. And because they don’t fit in, they end up struggling at school, or failing altogether. For some, it can set up a pattern of underachievement that can literally last the rest of their lives.”

You can help by sponsoring a child here and connect on Facebook here.

* State Schools’ Relief  “is a charity providing disadvantaged Victorian students with new school wear and attire. Last financial year they supported 10,756 requests for assistance. They have been supporting children and families who cannot access new quality clothing and footwear due to circumstances like poverty, neglect, family violence, homelessness and natural disasters.”

If you are in Victoria and attend a state school, you can apply for uniform assistance here.

If you would like to donate, go here or organise a fundraiser, go here.

* Wall of Hands  was created as a simple way for people and organisations to help close the Indigenous literacy gap by raising money and awareness through their friends, schoolmates and colleagues. Being able to read and write is a basic human right. Yet for every five Indigenous kids living in a remote community, only one will be able to read at the minimum standard. That’s only one in five kids who are gaining one of the most important skills essential to a satisfying and successful life – the ability to read.

If you would like to donate, go here. Connect on Facebook here.

* Pacific Smiles works “with communities in Australia to collect donations of learning implements and other essential items for the less fortunate children in villages, schools and orphanages in the South Pacific Islands. We give children in the Pacific Islands new opportunities to learn and develop.” Donate here and connect on Facebook here.

*Backpacks for Aussie Kids is an Australian organization, providing backpacks filled with essential and personal items to children in care.  One of my favourite charities! You can donate here and connect on Facebook here. This organization also takes clean, good quality second-hand items, so please take a look at what is needed here.  It’s as simple as throwing some stuff in a post pack and sending it off!

Do you know of any great charities that help kids with schooling?

Please leave us a link!