Single mum Amanda Smith repays the favour by dedicating her life to the welfare of others

AFTER getting a financial helping hand, Amanda Smith didn’t just pay it back — she paid it forward.

Amanda Smith with her son Samuel, 12, from Wetherill Park today. Amanda has benefited from the No Interest Loan Scheme three times in the past eight years. It's allowed her to buy a washing machine, an air-con and pay for a green slip. But more importantly it inspired her to become a community worker. Her positive experience of NILS was part of the reason why she completed Tafe then uni study in the field. She now works for the Smith family providing a fantastic scheme called Saver Plus, which teaches financial literacy and provides funding for education. (Pictures Justin Lloyd)

AFTER getting a financial helping hand, Amanda Smith didn’t just pay it back — she paid it forward.

In 2005 Ms Smith, then a 24-year-old single mum of a three-year-old and one-year-old, received $600 through the No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) so she could replace her washing machine, which had packed it in.

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“If I didn’t find out about NILS I’m not sure where else I could have gone for a loan, as I wouldn’t have qualified for a bank loan due to my circumstances and a pay-day lender would have cost a lot in interest and fees,” Ms Smith, of Wetherill Park, ­recalled this week.

Having repaid that loan, in 2006 Ms Smith turned to the scheme again when she couldn’t afford her green slip.

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Again she was approved for a $600 interest-free loan.

At about the same time, Ms Smith began studying community services at TAFE.

That was just the start.

After paying off another loan — for a window-fitted airconditioner — Ms Smith enrolled in a community welfare degree at University of Western Sydney. Her children were there when she graduated in 2009.

“That was a proud day as I could now use my experiences, skills and knowledge to support other people,” Ms Smith said.

“I also wanted to show my children that life circumstances did not have to define your future and I saw education as my future.”

From receiving help to becoming the helper Ms Smith, engaged and with a third child on the way, is now a co-ordinator for the Smith Family, delivering the Saver Plus program in Western Sydney.

Participants receive up to $500 in matched savings when they complete a 10-month financial education program. The money can be used for educational costs such as computers and tablets, text books and uniforms.

Last year more than 2600 parents and carers took part in Saver Plus through The Smith Family.

Ms Smith always recommends NILS to Saver Plus participants. Many people had never heard of it.

“I will be forever grateful I was able to access NILS. It set me on my path, resulting in me working in welfare and supporting others,” she said.

Today NSW Fair Trading Minister Matthew Mason-Cox will announce 2014-15 funding of $2.4 million for NILS, which is also supported by the NAB.

NILS: 1800 509 994 or visit www.nilsnsw.org.au

Saver Plus: SMS your name and postcode to 1300 610 355, email [e-mail] or go to www.anz.com/saverplus

DODGY HEATER WAS ALMOST MY DOWNFALL

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JOY Coombes had a lucky escape when a heater caught fire in her bedroom earlier this month.

Unbeknown to Ms Coombes, the Sunair fan heater was recalled in 2009 due to a fire risk. More than 100,000 were sold across Australia before the recall. After flicking on the heater, Ms Coombes’ partner rang asking to be picked up from work. While she was out, the fire began.

“If I hadn’t have got that phone call I would have fallen asleep,” Ms Coombes, from Beresfield near Newcastle, said.

NSW Fair Trading Commission Rod Stowe urged people to check www.recalls.gov.au

Joy Coombes and partner Keiran Davies with a similar heater to the one that was recalled / Picture Waide Maguire.