The island heat and humidity is stifling, but we’re having a very “cool” experience . . . giving shoes and school supplies to children of families with very limited resources.
Children anxiously wait their turn to be fitted with tennis shoes donated by the SAIL group
GRACIAS to all of the donors for providing backpacks for these children
Friends of Cozumel sponsor an annual School Supplies project to provide basic resources children need to continue their education. Attending public schools is “free”. However, families must furnish the learning supplies (very expensive to buy locally) plus purchase required uniforms and shoes. Families who can’t afford these expenses for all their school age children, may have to decide which children to send to school or what basic needs to go without (i.e. food, rent/utilities, health related expenses) to pay for school supplies.
Larry and I made a home visit Saturday evening to distribute two backpacks with school supplies to a single mother “in need”. Her sole source of support for herself and two teenage children is doing alterations she learned in a “taller” sewing skills workshop and other odd jobs. She was holding back tears as she asked us to share her appreciation with ALL those who have provided donations and she declared, “It’s like Christmas in the summer!”
Watch for other photos and updates about the School Supplies Project over the next few days.–Karen