School Supplies for Mateko Sector

Background The rural administrative sector of Mateko includes over 100+ villages and covers a surface area of 1,477.79 sq. km (km2). The sector accounts 100+ villages with an estimated population of about 300,000 inhabitants among whom, more than 60% are less than 20 years of old. The extent of poverty is such that many student are lacking basic school supplies, which leads to school drop out. Consequently, young girls are forced into early marriage, which increase negative outcomes in maternal and child health. Hence, education is a central piece of the work we do. Each incremental year of education for a young girls is associated with improved maternal and child health and delayed marriage, and better economic outcomes. Moreover, the new Government enacted a landmark policy of free education elementary for all children less than 12 years of age. Unfortunately, the policy has made it difficult for schools to function properly because they lack of capacity to accommodate all incoming students, but also due to the lack of school supplies and a functioning budget. In addition, the school system in those isolated areas were hard hit by the Covid-19 crisis. Indeed, for the school year 2019, classes were held only for 6 months out of 10 months. While in the other parts of the countries children were able to attend remote lessons through community radio and television, those in the sector of Mateko missed completely 4 full months of school. Adding to the chaotic situation of last year, there was yet another nationwide lockdown (November 2020 – February 2021) because of growing concerns for a second wave of Covid-19. Description of the project Hence, Rural World Impetus is leading an effort to support 5 schools in these deprived communities by providing children with school supplies. The selected schools are: * Matari Elementary School * Mayumu Elementary School * Kimpanga Elementary School * Longwama Elemetary School * Fatima Kimputu Elementary School Since the current school year is in progress, Rural World Impetus is leading this effort to collect supplies for the new school, which will start in the second half of August 2021. The solicited items include: * backpack * notebooks * crayons * pencils * pens * erasers * rulers * shoes * uniforms