Tara Murray
Luis Rojas had a good, high paying job but he said he felt there was much more to life.
He decided to take a step back to spend more time with his son and give back to the community.
It was that decision that set him on his path with EdConnect, a charity organisation that matches volunteers with students in need to offer one-on-one mentoring in the classroom.
Mr Rojas, who had to wait a year to step into the classroom due to COVID-19, said joining EdConnect has been one of the best things he’s done.
“There’s circumstances in life that make you change,” he said. “It was about being present in your child’s life and having a presence.
“I started volunteering when I had time off, where I got to meet kids, parents, fathers. Some kids don’t have a father figure.
“I wanted to start to make a change. I wanted to leave a good template for my son.“
Mr Rojas has started volunteering at Parkwood Green Primary this year as part of EdConnect’s program.
He provides one-on-one mentoring support for a student in grade six.
“This has been a really humbling experience for me and I highly recommend it,” he said.
“The kids are great, they just want someone who will listen to them and provide a little encouragement.”
Parkwood Green student wellbeing co-ordinator Marlise Harris said the school was lucky to have someone like Luis come in.
“In these times, we recognise the importance of having a person from the community, assisting students who need it most, every week.”
EdConnect Australia is recognising its volunteers this week during national volunteer week.
EdConnect liaison officer Rhonda Velkovski, said the volunteers are amazing.
“EdConnect volunteers donate their time locally here in Brimbank and in the western region, some have been offering one-on-one mentoring to students or assisting in the classroom for more than 10 years.
“With last year being a disruptive school year, this year the extra help and support EdConnect volunteers are giving to students is more valuable and welcomed than ever before.“
