About Us

Humble Beginnings

Small Beginnings, Big Vision.

“Whom should I send? Who will go for us?” I answered, “I’m here, send me!” Isaiah 6:8CJB

The vision began after I, Samantha Patrick, was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. This news upturned my teaching schedule from one that was bursting at the seams to a calendar full of doctor’s appointments. It was a surreal feeling I experienced as each of my students were transferred into other classes and the students I supported and tutored outside of school hours were informed that I could no longer continue.

My calendar, which had once reflected the sheer passion that I have for the teaching profession, was now reflecting the life of someone who has a life-threatening illness. As I underwent high dose chemotherapy and felt my body weaken with each weekly dose, I laid in bed praying, trying to adjust to this new road that I was travelling on. It was during these times of prayer and reflection that the Lord was birthing new vision.

Cancer may have taken this teacher out of the classroom, but it couldn’t take the teacher out of me. My passion for the teaching profession was not lost and my ability to educate young people was still possible. I would just be taking a whole new approach. I had received a new job offer – and I was all in!

The vision is so big. As I prayed and sought direction from the Lord, I realised that He is not wanting me to have an overloaded schedule again. This ‘thorn in my side’ called cancer reminds me that I need to think differently. I would be empowering others.

Instead of focusing upon the negative news of my condition, I have chosen to live according to the Lord’s instruction – to live as if I don’t have cancer. This mindset doesn’t ignore my condition, but it sure does shift my focus. This changes the way I make my decisions and keeps me steadfast in moving forward. I have been spending my time planning to make high quality, personalised tutoring services accessible to disadvantaged children and youth through what I have called the ‘HoTLaNe’ program – Hope Through Literacy & Numeracy. This, I believe, will change the demographic of those who receive tutoring. ‘Tikvah’ means hope in Hebrew, and that is what I endeavour to bring through the provision of tutoring services for those students who have lost hope. There is hope. One-on-one personalised instruction is highly effective in improving student outcomes. I envision tutoring being available to all, regardless of demographic. This is what I plan to make possible.

So as I sit at the kitchen bench working behind the scenes in these early days of Tikvah Education Australia, I look forward to what is to come. A vision far greater than I can fulfil on my own. A vision from the Lord Himself. My inability to get out there in the same way I once did keeps me in check and reminds me to keep leaning in to listen to the Lord’s instruction. His ideas are creative. They are innovative. They fill a need that I once did not fully recognise. He sees those ones slipping through the cracks and He builds a support network to catch them, raise them up and make them productive and accomplished individuals in society

By empowering and equipping others, something I am most passionate about, my hope is that the ripple effect will continue on beyond my years. I am simply the faithful servant who has said yes to the vision that I do not yet see in the physical so that it can become reality for the generations to come. It is the simple act of obedience, when all seems impossible, that makes room for the Lord to bring abundant blessing into the lives of many.

The work of Tikvah Education Australia and the testimonials of individuals participating in the programs will be shared on the website for you to follow.

Your donations, whether great or small, will make an ongoing difference in the lives of students and their families who participate in our programs. Thank you to all those who collectively make this vision a reality.