More than 60 children wait expectantly with their families at a school in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. It’s a festive scene: smiling faces throughout the crowd, Guatemalan and American flags waving in the breeze.
It’s also the start of the school year in Guatemala and Lutheran World Relief’s local partner, Food for the Hungry, is distributing LWR School Kits and Personal Care Kits to local families.
Angelica Villatoro, Food for the Hungry country director in Guatemala, explains to the crowd that caring families in the U.S. assemble each kit.
“What I appreciate the most about collaborating on this project is to see that every kit comes with its own personal touch, which helps us reflect with the students and their parents that behind every kit is a family far away that they may never meet … happy to know that they are contributing to their education and helping them achieve their dreams,” says Angelica.
Alta Verapaz has one of the highest poverty rates in the country. Most families earn their living from farming and education is considered a luxury with little economic benefit.
The School Kits are a welcomed assistance for parents who would otherwise struggle to afford basic supplies for their children. And the items in the Personal Care Kits are also used to teach children how to properly wash their hands and brush their teeth.
“This project really helps ease the burden on low income families. It also helps unite the community and excites the students,” says school director Dara Alvarado.
Give a child a chance at education
With the help of people like you, we distribute thousands of School Kits every year, making education possible in some of the world's poorest communities. Want to help? Here are two ways!
- Make School Kits: Assembling School Kits is a fun service activity for people of all ages. Gather together your friends, your family, or your church group. Collect the supplies, and have fun while creating life-transforming gifts for children around the world. Here's how to get started.
- Give to the LWR Quilt & Kit Shipping Fund: Gifts to this special fund get quilts and kits from the United States into the hands that need them around the world. A gift of any size helps. Please give today!