Tanita, an aspiring healthcare worker, already making a difference to the lives of others

Tanita is a very ambitious Year 11 student and one of Mater Education’s Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) students. She recently completed her Certificate III in Health Support Services, and is now completing the Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, due to undertake her placement in the Mater Private Hospital Brisbane oncology ward.

In between balancing senior high school, study with Mater Education, casual work and sporting commitments, this year Tanita launched a program to create and write greeting cards to the elderly who may be quarantined, and suffering loneliness during COVID-19 lockdown. It was after speaking to her own grandparents, that she kick-started the program.

“My grandparents live in Victoria and when the COVID-19 lock-down period started, they told me how difficult they were finding it.”

“So I thought, wow, if my grandparents who live together are having a hard time, just imagine how it is for the elderly right now who live alone. I wanted to do something that might ease their anxieties or loneliness.”

“I organised the program through my school and donated my own money to get all the materials. Now, every Wednesday at lunch-time, students in grade 7 to 12 are welcome to come to a classroom that I booked out and help make cards. They don’t have to bring anything, because I set up and supply all the material needed.”

Tanita’s already shown such compassion for those struggling through the pandemic, and we are confident she will make an incredible healthcare worker in the future.