School Books

Many of you know what it is like to take the school children with you to Walmart, K-Mart, Office Max, or where ever, pick up the list put out by the child's school and grade, and start collecting the needed materials. And if you have 4 or 5 children, it is sometimes a lesson in patience!

Well, the Save A Family program has over 800 primary school children and over 800 secondary school children going to umpteen different schools in Jeremie. And, like in the states, every school and every grade has a different list of needed materials. Add to that the complication of many parents unable to read -- I think you can sort of get the picture.

So days upon days have been spent sorting textbooks, sorting pens, pencils, notebooks, crayons etc and then bagging them for each individual child.

Prior to that, Sr. Maryann and Marty have spent everyday from 3-6 since mid August verifying with parents and children that each child passed this past year, still lives in the same house, and is going to the same school. Money was then given to the parents to have school uniforms made (all schools require uniforms), and to buy shoes and socks (required of each child to go to school)

Today we started giving out books - however, many did not arrive on the boat from Port Au Prince when they were expected, so we are, as you would say, "behind the 8 ball" since school starts tomorrow. So, today, there were 6 of us in the ground floor depot frantically sorting and verifying books that are still arriving --while trying to explain to anxious parents and school children that, "I know you have 5 children and only 3 packages - but the rest aren't here yet. Check back tomorrow afternoon or the next day..."

Oh, yes, what did I say about needing patience??? Take care. Till next time. God bless. Mary Ann