SEATTLE, Jan. 31, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- In the aftermath of the tsunami devastation, the educational needs of children throughout Southeast Asia are urgent. Whole communities have lost teachers, schools, equipment, and supplies. Now is the time to not only restore the state of education in Southeast Asia but actually improve it. American families and individuals can do their part by donating low-cost, easy-to-compile "SchoolTools kits". The supplies will provide the basic tools for children in the affected countries to gain the knowledge and skills needed to help their countries and economies rebuild.
The latest report from the Basic Education Coalition shows that children's futures are at risk because the education system in Southeast Asia has suffered huge losses. In Aceh, Indonesia, officials report that 1,000 teachers are missing and 50 percent of schools have been destroyed. This leaves 140,000 elementary and 20,000 junior-high students with nowhere to learn. Sri Lankan authorities report that 112 schools were damaged or destroyed and another 244 are currently being used as temporary housing.
To create a SchoolTools kit, fill a one-gallon zip-top plastic bag with the following:
-- One package (7 or 8 count) wooden pencils without designs -- One package (10 or 12 count) ballpoint pens (blue or black ink) -- Two 6 x 9-inch steno notebooks -- One pencil sharpener -- One large pink eraser -- One package (24 count ONLY) regular size crayons -- One 12-inch ruler with metric measurements
Kits can then be shipped to World Vision International Distribution Center, 210 Overlook Drive, Sewickley, PA 15143. Each SchoolTools kit should be clearly marked "Tsunami SchoolTools kit". For additional information call 1-866-962-4453 or visit www.worldvision.org/schooltools.
About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. We serve the world's poor, regardless of a person's religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, visit www.worldvision.org