School Supplies for Liberia
Fill a box. Bring hope.
Supplies List

Why can’t rural Liberian children purchase their own school supplies?
Liberia’s long civil war lasted from 1989 to 2003. Human suffering and grief on an unimaginable scale took place during the war, and it is safe to say that no Liberian was untouched. The war destroyed not only people and buildings, but the entire social and economic structure of the county.
Numerous non-profit organizations have stepped in to help Liberia rebuild. However, the global economic recession of the last few years has hampered these rebuilding efforts. The majority of Liberians live on less than $1.00 per day, so even a 70-page notebook is beyond the means of most rural families.

Why pay for shipping? Why not buy supplies in Liberia?
The Liberian economy has not yet been restored to order. School products are scarce and very expensive. Of course, shipping is also expensive; boxes must be loaded into a shipping container, trucked from Minnesota to Baltimore, sent to Africa on a cargo ship, and finally trucked from Monrovia to central Liberia. By shipping more than a thousand boxes at once, however, we will minimize the total cost of the supplies. There is another reason to ship the supplies: joy. Children receive their own box of new supplies that was packed by a caring person in the U.S. The supplies make them happy; the fact that another person cared enough to send the supplies brings them joy.

Where will donated supplies go?
Family of Hope currently supports an elementary and junior high school in Zondo, Grand Bassa County, Liberia. The 500 children at the Zondo school will each receive supplies. In addition, the Zondo school will distribute boxes to other rural elementary schools in Grand Bassa County. The school has had distribution experience; used textbooks that were donated by the Mounds View, Minnesota school district were sent to the school, and those books are now in use throughout Grand Bassa County.

What should I put in the box?
Please put the following supplies in your box, along with a $10.00 check made payable to Family of Hope. If you prefer, you may pay the shipping fee online. Click on “Ship School Supplies” above. The only way that we can afford to send the boxes to Liberia is to ask you to cover the cost of shipping for each box that you pack. Family of Hope is a recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The value of the supplies and the shipping fee are deductible as a charitable contribution.

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__ Six Wide-Lined, 70-Page Notebooks
__ One Ream Plain White Paper

__ Crayons (Box of 16 or 24)
__ #2 Pencils (Pack of Ten)
__ Pencil Sharpener
__ Colored Markers
__ Ballpoint Pens
__ Glue Stick
__ Scissors
__ Eraser
__ Ruler

__ Protractor (Optional)
__ Compass (Optional)

What if I don't live in the Twin Cities area?
If you do not live near a collection site in the Twin Cities, MN area, you can still contribute school supplies! We estimate that the supplies for each box will cost $15.00. Simply select the $25.00 "Purchase supplies and pay for shipping" option online and we'll buy the supplies, pack the box, and ship it for you. If you want to send more than one box, please use the "Other" option and multiply the number of boxes by $25. If you prefer to send a check, that's fine too. Mail it to Family of Hope—School Supplies for Liberia, 5109 Sunnyside Road, Mounds View, MN 55112.