School Uniform and Shoe Donation

 

Give kids a chance by donating either $40 to provide a school uniform, backpack and supplies or $15 to provide a pair of shoes.  Donations are tax deductable and there is no administrative cost for this donation.
School Uniform Program - Until 2008, wearing a uniform was required in Nicaragua in order to attend school. Now, even though the requirement has been lifted, many families are embarrassed to send their children to school without the proper attire, or simply cannot afford basic needs such as shoes. We are partnering with Mujeres Bahi a local women's coop that has uniforms made and then donates them to needy families, so that children may receive the education they deserve. The uniforms are donated as part of a school packet, which includes backpacks and supplies. A school packet costs approximately U$40.

 

Shoe Donation Program - The majority of children in Nicaragua go shoeless or wear flip-flops as shoes cost as much as a weeks pay.  This poses a particular problem during the 6 months of the rainy season.  Importantly, breaks in the skin of the feet serve as portals of entry for parasites.  We are helping with this problem by visiting 2 schools with each trip to Nicaragua and providing all students with a pair of closed shoes.  Typically shoes are collected from schools in the US and transported to Nicaragua by volunteers on an annual mission trip.  Additionally, shoes can be purchased in-country and distributed.  The cost to us to provide a child with a pair of shoes is $15.