As many of you know, one of the projects that we have been working on is getting clothes from friends and family in the U.S. for the kids down here in Paraguay. Katie and Emily brought a huge load (Round #1) and Nancy just arrived with more (Round #2). This has been awesome for our community here and I wanted to share some of the photos of the kids loving their new clothes. Not a day goes by where at least one kid does not grab my arm and show me his new pants or new shirts. The kids have been so excited about the new stuff.
First thing, we pulled the kids out of class to figure out what sizes they needed. The photo is of Emily and Katie (above) testing a dress on Ailen. Many of the kids were really excited and wanted to take the clothes with them back to class but we didn't allow it. Instead, we packaged them up with a note explaining they were donations (not just to borrow) and that they had been generously contributed by our friends in the U.S. After figuring our what clothes kids needed, we distributed the clothes in a few different ways.
We visited with some families in the barrio under the bridge and delivered the clothes to their home. On the right is a photo I took of the family during the visit and below that is a picture of the boys wearing their new clothes in my class. Victoria (photo below) was also quite happy to show off her fashionable new threads (polka dot dress and grey jacket). She wears the jacket everyday. We tried to deliver her clothes to her house but she wasn't home. We were lucky enough to run into her and her mom walking around the barrio and got to hand deliver her clothes to her mom, too.
For those kids we could not visit, we packed up bags with notes and put them in backpacks. On the right is a picture of Rolando who was super excited about his clothes. He kept asking me all day (after trying them on), "Where are my clothes?... Can I put my clothes in my backpack?... Do I get to keep them?" At the end of the day he was elated to get the present...look at that face!! He has been wearing new clothes ever since.
At the end of Round #1, we have collected:
- 109 articles of clothing for babies (3 and under)
- 101 pairs of boy's pants
- 191 boy's shirts
- 91 girls items
- 28 pairs of pajamas
- 13 coats and jackets
- 25 pairs of shoes
- bottles, socks and underwear
- 200 LBS of Clothes in TOTAL!!!
We have distributed clothes to 13 kids in our school and 25+ babies that participate in nutrition plans at the health center. Tomorrow we are taking a trip to the barrio and are delivering more clothes then, too.
Special thanks to our friends who have donated:
- Stephanie Braden and her boys
- Jennifer Cowden
- Tawnja Morris & Kylee (Kylee is 6 and picked out her own clothes to give away!!! Thanks Kylee!!!)
- Katie Badgett
- Toni Hall and Macy
- Josh Clubb, Oz and Zane
- Cassie Tingle
- Stephanie King
- Linda Callis
- Jessica Walls
- The Covington Baptist Clothes Closet
- Anonymous donors at my dad's office, too!!!
And a special thanks my sisters (and Nancy) who have helped with collecting ropas. A few more pictures of clothes in action for you and your families to peruse. Thanks again!
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