The Forgotten Children of the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes

  In July we provided funds for many of the poorer children in the small schools, to receive a stationery pack containing pens, pencils, crayons, scissors, exercise books.  These children come from homes where there is no spare cash for such luxuries, the schools do not provide materials, and without them the children cannot fully participate in lessons. These children above are receiving their school uniform.  These are provided in January/February for the start of the new school year.  Parents cannot afford to replace uniform and children grow very quickly as we all know.  Because of the dusty environment they need to be washed frequently, so if parents can afford one set, there is an opportunity to change.  When I was there, I often watched the mums washing in the steam and drying the clothes on the bushes.  Their washing often looked whiter than mine! Perhaps it's the effect of the sun! These teachers are receiving cleaning materials in the early p...