Kiowa Kindergarteners Help Haitians with Health Kits

Natural disasters; they can happen anywhere, and when they do, our basic needs become paramount. They could mean the difference between life and death, good health and disease. How basic is the concept of a health kit, yet, how profound is the need in Haiti? Even as I write this today, another 6.1 magnitude "aftershock" rocked Haiti. The need is great for a lifeline to the people of Haiti, and sending a health kit is a lifeline anyone can take part in.

Being the mother of one of the students in the kindergarten class, I was touched that even the youngest of students can help in the effort to provide the basic of necessities to the victims in Haiti. The Kindergarten class at South Barber Elementary in Kiowa, Kansas spent time creating these kits Tuesday afternoon, with the help of their teacher, Connie Rooks.

"My church is helping in the efforts through UMCOR Sager Brown, and I wanted to get the students involved" Rooks said.

"I am happy that we can help kids who are hurt" said one kindergarten student.

How To Make A Health Kit:

UMCOR Sager Brown is very specific about what to put in a health kit, so the list should be followed exactly.

Place these items in a sealed one-gallon plastic bag:

1 hand towel (15" x 25" up to 17" x 27", no kitchen towels)
1 washcloth
1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket size)
1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
1 bath-size bar of soap in their original packaging (3oz. and up)
1 toothbrush (single brush in its original wrapper; no child size brushes)
6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages

Assemble all the items in the following order: Hand towel, then washcloth in the center, and all other products on the washcloth (see the picture in this article for further reference.) Wrap up the items in the hand towel and place in the one-gallon bag.

(NOTE: UMCOR Sager Brown is now purchasing toothpaste in bulk to be added to health kits before shipping to ensure that the product does not expire before it is sent. Please include $1 for each kit you send toward the purchase of toothpaste.)

UMCOR Sager Brown requests that all items are NEW. All kits are carefully planned out to make them useable to the greatest number of situations. Since strict rules often govern product entry into international countries, it is imperative that kits contain only the requested items-nothing more. Do not include notes, money or additional materials in the kits. These things will be removed before shipping, and slows the process of getting the kits to their final destination.

SHIPPING THE KITS:

Contact your local United Methodist Church to find out if they are also participating. If so, you can combine the shipment. If no United Methodist Churches are in your area, you can send them directly to the address below:

UMCOR Sager Brown
P.O. Box 850 131 Sager Road
Baldwin, LA 70514-0850

Please complete two packing lists: One for your records and one to put on the outside of the shipping box. Having the packing list on the outside ensured the box will be processed faster. UMCOR Sager Brown also requests that an additional $1 be included to cover international shipping for each kit in the box. This will bring your monetary donation to $2 per kit.

If you have any further questions, you may contact UMCOR Sager Brown at 1-800-814-8765