School kits from Summerland will be distributed to students and teachers in developing countries.
This is the eighth year Summerland United Church has partnered with the Mennonite Central Committee in Abbotsford to send school kits to developing countries.
These school bags make a difference for students who have schools with teachers but none of the tools for learning. Parents have no money to provide the paper and pencils needed by the students.
All the boys and girls who have the privilege to attend school are thankful for these gifts and eager to put them to use.
Children are often only able to attend school until Grade 6 when they then must go out to work to help support their families. Education means they will be able to get a better paying job.
In the past, bags have been distributed to students in Bosnia, North Korea, Kenya, Syria and Guatemala.
In 2012, 129,779 school kits were distributed to developing countries. Each kit was prepared and donated by world-conscious church members.
Through the Mission and Outreach Committee, with the assistance of the Summerland United Church congregation, cloth bags are made to contain note books, pencils, an eraser, ruler and coloured pencils.
The local church’s goal is 400 completed school bags which will be sent to the central point in Abbotsford for loading and transportation to the selected countries.
Anyone interested in helping with this humanitarian initiative can contact Summerland United Church.