| For more than 80 years, the American
Red Cross School Chest Program has been touching the lives of children
who live in disaster-stricken areas abroad. International crises such as
natural disasters, armed conflict, and political and social upheaval can
prevent or interrupt a child’s education. Not only are their homes
often destroyed, but also their schools are often damaged, looted or
closed. You can help by participating in the American Red Cross School
Chest Program. Anyone in schools, community groups, churches, and
businesses can connect with children in need around the globe through
this program and become part of a worldwide network providing
humanitarian relief.
“More than 100 million children of primary
school age, the majority of them girls, are not enrolled in school.
Millions more are taught by untrained and underpaid teachers in
overcrowded, unhealthy and poorly equipped classrooms.” (United
Nations General Assembly, 27th Special Session, 5/10/2002)
School chests are containers filled with brand
new school supplies for children overseas who have experienced natural
disasters, armed conflict, or social or economic upheaval. The supplies
are distributed among schools and youth groups that otherwise would not
have them.
What's In A School Chest?
The school chest itself must be a very sturdy box or plastic bin. It
must be sturdy enough to transport the contents and stackable for
shipping and storage. It should not allow too much extra room inside.
The average school chest weighs approximately 63 lbs. and measures 3.4
cubic feet. The contents of one school chest are distributed among 40
children.
- 40 notebooks (lined 8 ˝" x 11"
spiral or bound with 70 sheets; college or wide rule)
- 120 no. 2 pencils (unsharpened) with erasers
- 40 small plastic domed pencil sharpeners
- 40 plastic rulers (30 cm)
- 20 small plastic geometry safety compasses
- 6 boxes of standard size colored chalk (12
count box)
- 4 blackboard erasers
- 1 ream of white 8 ˝" x 11" copy
paper
- 40 boxes of standard size crayons (8 count
box)
- 1 measuring tape (60"/150cm)
- 1 deflated soccer ball (size 5)
- 1 8" x 12" standard air pump with
needle
- 40 jump ropes (7 ft.)
All items must be new, clean and of good
quality and appearance
Your school chest will become part of American
Red Cross international relief and development programs that meet
ever-changing humanitarian needs and improve the human condition around
the world. As a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement, the American Red Cross distributes school chests in accordance
with our Fundamental Principles of Humanity, Impartiality and
Neutrality.
|
