|
| |
| SchoolTools in Peru |
 |
In Peru, primary education is free, and parents want their children to get a good education. But the children must bring their own supplies in order to come to class. While it may not seem like much to us, the average cost of $8.50 for these materials is too expensive for some families. Children whose parents are too poor must often work — not only to earn money for their own school supplies, but also to help support the household.
 Ten-year-old Abrahan Xauri Huamane struggled to acquire things like crayons and notebook paper for school. “My parents can’t afford to buy my school supplies,” he says, “so I support myself by grazing other people’s sheep. I earn about 2 soles a day [equivalent to about 60 cents], and for about a year now I’ve been working on Saturdays and Sundays.”
Abrahan’s family is very poor. For breakfast, he has only tea. Lunch is hot chocolate mixed with toasted corn, and dinner is usually rice with potatoes. The last time he had meat was a year ago. Neither Abrahan’s mother nor his father went to school, but they encourage their son to go because they know it will open the door to a better future for him. Thanks to SchoolTools donations, Abrahan now has a year’s worth of school supplies and no longer has to work Saturdays and Sundays.
 Eber Loasco Zea’s parents had enough money to buy his school supplies for a while. But they can no longer afford it so, at age 12, Eber must work to buy his own school supplies. Even though his daily work is hard, he says, “I am used to (it) because I’ve been working hard for a long time now. I know that the only way that I can get ahead is if I stay in school and study, so I’m willing to work hard so that I can get a good education. I am hoping to become an engineer.” Getting a SchoolTools kit has helped move Eber one step closer to his goal.
 “When I was younger, my mother bought my school supplies,” says Victorea Churate Ccoyore. “Now I have to work to get my school supplies, so I work in the field pulling corn out of the cornstalks.” This 12-year-old works on holidays and weekends, earning about 5 soles a day (approximately $1.50). “I am hoping to become a teacher and earn money so I can overcome poverty and provide for my family,” she says. “When I can, I give money to my mother so she can buy food. I am grateful that my parents have encouraged me to go to school.” By providing SchoolTools kits, you can help children like Victorea obtain a good education so they can break free from poverty and achieve their dreams!
Click here to discover How You Can Help give the gift of education to children around the world. |
|  |
|
