This Christmas, Help Us Open Doors for First Nations Students in Sunraysia
This Christmas, we are reaching out with a heartfelt appeal. The Opening the Doors Foundation is currently assisting over 150 First Nations students from the Sunraysia area, including Irymple, Red Cliffs, Mildura, and Merbein. This region is home to the traditional lands of the Latji Latji, Barkindji, and Nyeri Nyeri peoples, and is a culturally rich part of Victoria. First Nations people make up around 4.5% of the population—well above the state average. Yet, despite this strong community presence, First Nations students face daunting obstacles that often hinder their educational journey:
Educational Disparities: Many First Nations students in Sunraysia struggle with low school attendance and completion rates, stemming from a lack of access to essential educational resources and financial support.
Economic Hardship: A significant number of First Nations families in the region experience severe financial difficulties. For many students, purchasing school supplies, uniforms, or even having access to a laptop for online learning is simply out of reach.
Limited Access to Support Services: The rural nature of Sunraysia means that many students have little to no access to tutoring, academic programs, or culturally sensitive support services that could help bridge the gap in their education.
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These challenges can feel insurmountable. OTDF has been a lifeline for many First Nations students in Sunraysia, providing vital educational materials and supporting families to send their children to culturally safe schools. But we cannot do this alone—we need your help to continue and to expand our efforts. The need is critical. Without support, many of these bright and motivated students risk falling behind or dropping out of school altogether. Your generosity today can help break this cycle of disadvantage, opening doors to new opportunities and brighter futures for First Nations youth in Sunraysia.
Thank you for standing with us and believing in these students' potential. Together, we are opening doors and building a better, more equitable world.
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With deep gratitude,
Vicki Clark OAM, Chair and Co-founder OTDF
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As a non-government funded charity, the Foundation relies on donations from the community to open the doors to opportunity for First Nations students. The more funds raised, the more support we are able to provide for First Nations students in their education. All donations over $2.00 are tax deductible.
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