Charity: Shoebox Project
It is easy to sit up and take notice. What is difficult is getting up and taking action. ~ Al Batt
Our children live in a world of abundance. They have many toys, plenty of food, much entertainment and houseful of material possessions. They never run out of staples like toothpaste (unless Mommy forgets to stock them). Pencils and erasers are readily lost, and readily replaced. Simple toys pleasure them but for a second before they turn to more sophisticated ones, i.e. iPad, XBOX or other digital contraptions that we parents indulged them in.
Even when they do without electricity for an hour on Earth Day, that hardly quantifies as any suffering. More likely that hour serves as a novel way to play with flashlights and laser lights. So, when my friend, Adeline asked if we would like to participate in a charity project for underprivileged children in Third World countries, we immediately say “YES!”
The Shoe Box Project was organized by the church she attends, Bethesda Frankel Estate Church (BFEC). The church and its kindergarten, Bethesda Katong Kindergarten (BKK) are adopting this charity project for their Social Action Month (July).
Partnering up with Mercy Teams International (MTI), the founder of this movement, the church hopes to raise a record number of shoeboxes for the charity. This year, all the Shoeboxes will be going to disadvantaged children in Cambodia. They include street kids or orphans, many are victims of abuse and trafficking and others in needy families.
Our group of condo kids working hard at decorating their box for their fellow “friends” in need.
My 6-year-old working with focus and dedication to decorate her box with pieces of paper, stickers and personal drawings…
What To Pack?
We were instructed to pack into our Shoebox essential items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, plastic cup with a handle and a set of colour pencils. We were given a list of 10 to 15 items to choose to include in the box. As I read through the list, I was struck by how we already had most of the items in our home and they were probably brand new.
- A bar of soap
- Hairbrush or sturdy wide-toothg comb + mirror
- Face cloth or small towel
- Ball
- Games — eg. Rubik’s cube, puzzle, yo-yo etc, but no playing cards
- McDonald’s plastic toy
- Skipping Rope
- Bag of Marbles
- Trinket jewelry
- Soft toy (new and clean)
- Toy vehicles or moving toys (not battery operated)
- Wallet, Pouch or Money Purse (empty)
- New underwear (2-3 pcs set would be appropriate)
- Cap or Hat
- Torch (include new batteries)
- Small alarm clock or wrist watch (with new batteries attached)
- Small poncho or raincoat
- Solar calculator
- Small musical instrument (eg. harmonica)
- Other stationary (eg. crayons, notebook with pen, pencil case set, sissors)
While the whole exercise was fun and creative to do, the adults hope that the kids learn the subliminal lesson that “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
While the whole exercise was fun and creative to do, the adults hope that the kids learn the subliminal lesson that “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” ~Acts 20:35
Proud of her final product – her Shoe box is ready for submission.
Some of the kids with their packed Shoeboxes – sending it off with blessings and good wishes to their benefactors.
If you will like to know more or participate in this project, email to the BFEC Social Action Committee at social_action@bfec.org.sg or check out this link for more information.
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