You guys know Abby has started at a Montessori preschool here in Chile. At a brunch for new parents, they told us about a new preschool that needs help.
This new Montessori preschool was built and is funded by the government - they built the building, pay the teachers, and the kids go for free. It is in the WORST neighborhood of Santiago (think inner-city but in a third world country). There are 300 kids from birth to age 6. Four classrooms are from ages 0-1, and there are 7 classrooms from ages 1-6. The school was a six year project and finally opened just last month.
The catch is this: they are in empty classrooms! They are given virtually no funding for supplies, toys, books, you name it. They literally have nothing. So, they are looking for donations. Specific type things that were mentioned: puzzles, craft supplies, books, baby blankets, toys. Stuff that has some kind of "educational play" value. From my experience with Abby's classroom, they set up "stations" in these classrooms so think in that kindof direction.
We are looking like dressup clothes, maybe plastic kitchen type stuff, animals/farm-type toys, kitchen toys, baby toys, dolls, etc.
They have 78 babies from age 0-1. They have beds but no blankets - and it can be quite chilly here in Santiago. (We are thinking of getting together and creating those fleece blankets that you tie the fringe around the edges possibly, but no real plans have been made.)
Any picture books are fine, even if they are in English. Mostly they are looking for bright pictures with really good pictures. Of course, any children's books in Spanish would be great.
They have no decoration or artwork for the walls! So any pictures/posters, anything to make a preschool classroom pretty and appealing to small children would be great.
I asked about craft supplies as well. Crayons, markers, construction paper, playdoh, umm, whatever preschoolers like to do crafts with. I'm thinking coloring books would be great as well.
And if you're getting really ambitious, they even mentioned they are looking for play equipment for their yard, which has nothing. That might be harder to mail though!
Sorry to bother all of you guys, but I just have such a hard time thinking about little kids Abby's age going to preschool and having nothing to play with and nothing to learn with. All that they ask is that of course whatever items that might be "used" still be in very good condition for a classroom.
And of course if you don't have stuff to get rid of, but would like to hit up dollar stores, Walmart, or Target, etc.; feel free to do that as well!
I have a US mailing address where you can mail stuff and I will receive it here. Then I can take your things to the school when we go visit in a couple of weeks. Please email me (JMSjulie@aol.com) if you'd like my address, and I'll be happy to send it to you.
I won't bother you guys with too many more emails, but will upload pictures of the school and more details to our blog after us moms visit next week.
Thanks!
Julie
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