August 2007

Donation of Supplies to Special Needs School

The village of Characato, just outside Arequipa, is home to the "Maria de la Esperanza Caritas" school for children with special needs. The school is small, with an average attendance of six students. Many of the students are mentally challenged or suffer from other learning disabilities.

In mid-August our volunteers toured the school and met with its director, Antonia Colana Rosas. Only three students were present that day, but their bright smiles and friendliness were infectious. After spending some time with the children, we presented the school with the following donated items:

• 6 notebooks
• 6 books of children's stories
• Pens and paper
• 200 sheets of Bond paper and construction paper
• 6 boxes of crayons
• 6 boxes of colors for painting
• 6 sets of hygiene supplies including soap, toothpaste, and toothbrushes