Staff of the U.S. Forward Operating Locations donated 920 backpacks of which 100 were stuffed with school supplies, such as pencils, pens, assorted colored pencils, college rule notebooks, wooden rulers, calculators, and binders to students of various elementary schools on Curacao. This donation is worth US $30,000.
Together with the Ministry of Education we have selected all seven schoolboards that will receive the backpacks for their students, as many families cannot afford all the supplies necessary to outfit their children for the school year. With the hard work of a few dedicated volunteers and some fundraising know-how, staff of the U.S. Forward Operating Location wants to make a difference in this community. After all, making a donation is the ultimate sign of compassion with your fellow human beings as actions speak louder than words.
Since 2000, the U.S. Forward Operating Location has built strong partnerships with local community-based organizations to express their appreciation for the hospitality they have received from the citizens of Curacao and they will continue to do so in the years to come. May these backpacks bring happiness and a Christmas in March feeling to those young children who need our support most.