Give Write exists to help school children get the most out of their education.
Starting each new school year can be an expensive – book lists, uniforms, shoes and school fees. Many families struggle to provide the basics, including school stationery.
Give Write takes donations of new and pre-loved stationery to repackage and redistribute to students in need, allowing them to engage with their education and feel inspired to learn.
It allows these students to take full advantage of the opportunities that education provides. They attend school with the essential items needed and feel just like any other child in their class.
Our goals include…
Addressing poverty
According to the 2024 ‘Profile of Children and Young People in WA’ report (published by the Commissioner for Children and Young People WA), there are 107,000 children and young people living below the poverty line.
The percentage of WA children living in poverty (16.6%) is higher than for any other age group in WA.
Poverty rates for children and young people in WA (16.6%) is higher than in Australia as a whole (13.9%).
These statistics are alarming as children deserve the best possible start to life. Education is crucial in breaking the cycle of poverty so Give Write supports students and provides essential school items.
Addressing the environment
Stationery items can be difficult to recycle. According to ecopromotions.com.au, over 140 million pens are sold annually in Australia and end up as long-term problematic waste. This results in around 700 tonnes of plastic waste being dumped in local government landfill sites across Australia.
Give Write has developed a way to divert stationery from landfill and redistribute to those in need. Reuse of these items reduces the burden on recycling programs (sometimes working stationery is recycled), keeps it from landfill and makes a student very happy!
Assisting teachers
The 2023 Australian Education Union’s State of Our Schools research report found that 85% of public school teachers use their own money to purchase supplies for their classroom and students.
In WA, teachers spend (on average) $1,000 of their own money each year.
Teachers report the top reasons they are spending their own money is that it is the only way to deliver a quality lesson (44%) and students would miss out if they didn’t (40%).
By providing various classroom resources and student stationery to WA teachers, Give Write provides financial relief and supports their contribution to the education of our youth.
Teaching children about philanthropy
From a young age, it is important for children to understand the significance of helping others. Whether students run a donation drive at their school or donate their own surplus stationery, this is a simple way to introduce the concept of philanthropy at an early age.
Studies in The White Paper for the John Templeton Foundation by the Greater Good Science Centre, UC Berkley, May 2018 report;
- Generous acts increase subjective well being, feelings of vitality and self esteem.
- Generous acts may also change the way people view the world, making them value cooperation, interdependence, and their own good fortune.
- Encouraging young children to see helping as part of their identity may nurture their generous behaviors.
Helping Western Australian Students to do their best
We want all WA students to get the most out of their education, regardless of circumstances beyond their control.