Church Members in Argentina Assemble 23,000 School Kits for Students in Need 

Teenage members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have teamed up with 14 nonprofit organizations to assemble and distribute 23,000 school supply kits for children in need in Argentina.

The donated kits were put together by nearly 7,000 volunteers at Church-sponsored summer camps throughout Argentina. Forming assembly lines, these young Latter-day Saints filled the backpacks with school supplies such as pencils, pens, paper, notebooks, scissors and more.

 “It was beautiful to do something for these children,” one volunteer said. “We felt how helping others made us better and brought us closer to the Savior Jesus Christ.”

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Another volunteer said, “Something that took just a little bit of our time will be enjoyed by children who need help. This year we added some handwritten notes of encouragement like these: ‘I know that sometimes it is difficult, but you can accomplish anything with effort and dedication,’ ‘I wish you success in your studies and in the goals you set for yourself.’”

In past years, distribution of the school supply kits was dependent on local Church members and their friends. However, to improve efficiency and increase impact, the Church established relationships with 14 nonprofit organizations that support rural schools across Argentina. These NGOs then collected the kits and gave them to the many schools they decided stood in the greatest need.

Alan Sosa, minister of social services of the province of San Luis, coordinated the distribution of 900 kits to rural schools. He also visited one of the summer camps and was moved by the volunteer efforts he saw.

“I am very impressed with the service project and the number of young people who participated in the camp,” he commented. “I am especially touched by the notes of encouragement the young people have written."

The students’ principals and teachers were also grateful for the donations. They said the kits improve attendance because children who lack supplies often drop out of school.

The Church expresses gratitude to the following NGOs for their vital assistance with these efforts: APAER- Asociación Civil Padrinos de Alumnos y Escuelas Rurales, MIRA-Misiones Rurales Argentinas, Desarrollo Humano y Social-San Luis, Consejo de Educación-General Roca, Escuelas Moreno, Tucumán Sikh Mandeep Albi, Sikh Community, Villa 31-Buenos Aires, Tartagal Communities, Fundación Escolares, Sembrando Sueños, Siete Vueltas, CILSA and Bilingual School #807.

This story was originally published on Spanish Newsroom.