Panama Trails
Project
Rescuing Our Children serves children in extreme poverty who live in a high crime neighborhood where most parents do not have a job to bring money into the house. Many children only have one meal a day.
Often at an early age, these children become part of gangs. Some of the children have been abused and mistreated. Our hope is that this room will become a place where these children can receive a daily meal and also receive emotional guidance and support.
Needs
General School Supplies:
Book Bags, Chalk, Colored Construction Paper, Colored Pencils, Compasses, Crayons, Dry-Erase Markers, Erasers, Glue Sticks, Handheld Pencil Sharpeners, Markers, Pencils, Pencil Cases/Bags, Pens, Protractors, Rulers, and Solar Calculators
Reference Materials:
(English and Spanish) Dictionaries and Age Appropriate Encyclopedias on CD
Flash Cards:
(English and Spanish) Alphabet
Educational Games/Toys:
Bananagrams, Chess Sets, Connect Four, Puzzles, Scrabble, and Stuffed Animals/Soft Toys
Art Supplies:
Craft Scissors and Watercolor Brushes and Paints
Sports/Outdoor Activity:
Frisbees, Inflation Pumps, Jump Ropes, Netball/Basketballs, Soccer Balls, Team Uniforms/Kits for Soccer, and Tennis Balls
First Aid/Health:
Antibiotic Ointment, Band-Aids, and Plastic Gloves
Kitchen:
Bowls, Pans, Plastic Serving Bowls, Plastic Serving Cups, Plastic Serving Plates, Pots, Serving Spoons, and Spatulas
Health/Personal Grooming:
Bars of Soap, Combs, Deodorant, Hair Brushes, Hair Pins and Elastic Hair Bands, Hand Cream, Multivitamin Tablets, Sanitary Napkins, Shampoos, Toothbrushes, and Toothpaste
Initiatives Supported
Listed on this page are the specific needs requested by the community project(s) so you can choose exactly what to pack for a purpose and express your gratitude to the local community with the supplies you take them. If you prefer, you may reach out directly to them to inquire about items which may be available for purchase locally. Arranging visits to community projects is beyond the scope of our mission. If you wish to visit a project, contact the participant and they can let you know what is possible.
Candy and balloons are not on the needs list as they are harmful for the children and the environment for the following reasons:
• Few of the children benefiting from these projects have access to toothpaste, toothbrushes, or a dentist. The candy promotes cavities.
• The balloons once they become deflated are a choking hazard for local wildlife.
Instead of taking candy or balloons, use that space for additional requested supplies, as they are priceless.