Now they are “proud, driven young men”, successful in their education and making plans for their future careers.

Looking back over those years of sponsorship, Ms Neighbour can say her efforts have made a difference, and continue to do so.

Through Young Seeds Tasmania, a small registered charity that provides safe haven and education for 23 vulnerable children in South Sudan and Uganda, sponsorships have a direct impact on the future of each child.

Young Seeds began in 2010, founded by Lowilla Okello in an effort to connect Tasmanians with some of the most disadvantaged children in the world.

The charity – now chaired by Juma Piri Piri, with Ms Neighbour as vice chair – is celebrating the fact that three of the sponsored children are preparing to go to university.

For young adults whose future once contained little more than brutality and violence, the turn-around is remarkable.

Mr Piri Piri said the beauty of Young Seeds was the direct contact the organisation has with the children it cares for, rather than the larger multinational charities that can become impersonal. However, Young Seeds is in urgent need of more sponsors to sign up.

“To say that the sponsors have actually saved a child’s life is not being dramatic,” Ms Neighbour said.

“It’s those kids that will change the world.”

For details on sponsoring a child contact Susan Neighbour on 0428 953 484.