In 2001 a decision was made for Computershare to support a small project that provides funding and materials to assist in the education of underprivileged children primarily based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. In addition to financial support, Computershare has donated a number of second-hand computers.  

The Come-Share project continues to go from strength to strength and so it is with great enthusiasm and excitement that it is welcomed into the change a Life family.

The project, which is almost entirely funded by Computershare, has an enviable record of integrity with close to 100% of funds going directly to beneficiaries.

Come-Share is a program that encourages and assists genuinely disadvantaged people to gain a foothold in life and establish themselves primarily in economic terms, through education and vocational training. For someone to be sponsored through Come-Share there must be a case of genuine need, where one’s normal/extended family circumstances are bleak, and such that the pursuit of education would be in jeopardy.  At Come-Share there is an inherent belief that because the founders came from similar backgrounds to the recipients, they are more understanding of their needs and thus make appropriate decisions concerning who should receive funding.

In addition, this means that the Come-Share project not only offers financial assistance but the founders offer guidance and emotional support to children who may never have had it.

Primarily, Come-Share seeks to fund children from year ten (O level) onwards, rather than at a nursery level. This is because education up until year ten is free, so many children, although they come from poor backgrounds, can complete year ten unassisted. It is after this point that many children are forced into manual labour, even if their school results are very good.  

The constraints of poverty fuels the temptation to earn money immediately, however, Come-Share enables selected children to develop their skills and improve their employment range and earning capacity.

It is amazing to see how so little can stretch so far. It costs just AU$6.27, £2.54, US$4.81 per month to provide one student with further education opportunities and just AU$100, £40, US$77 a month to pay for a degree such as hotel management or computer studies.

The project has a strong focus on sustainability, with the long term aim being that past beneficiaries of Come-Share will reinvest time and money into the program to ensure its reach.