This year, I packed backpacks for my seven Manna 4 Lempira children, as well as my Estefani, who is not sponsored through an organization. I'm only going to share the contents of the Manna bags in this post, because the other doesn't follow the same packing guidelines.
The required items for each backpack are: 8 notebooks, 20 pencils, 1 sharpener, 10 pens (for children 10 and older), 24 crayons or colored pencils, 1 pair of scissors, 1 ruler, and extra erasers. Your monthly sponsorship fees actually cover these items and the backpack itself, so you only have to pack them if you want to choose specific items and/or free up funds that can be used for an unsponsored child. If you choose to let the ministry provide the backpack and school supplies, you can still send gifts! Just put the gifts in a large ziplock bag, labeled with your child's name and ID number, and send it to Manna 4 Lempira. They will add it to a backpack for you.
Each backpack needs to be labeled with your child's name, ID number, and photo. I used the app Pic Collage to make these bag tags for my kids. I printed them on photo paper and used regular curling ribbon to tie them to the zippers of the bags. I also placed an address label with their name and ID number on the straps and taped around it, just in case the tags rip off. Each bag also has a letter inside with their ID number on it.
While in Honduras this summer, I carried around a journal and jotted down any needs that I noticed. This included physical needs, emotional needs, and spiritual needs- as well as wants and interests. I came home and prayed over these lists, and shopped based on them. Let's start with Marcos.
Marcos is my only boy. Wow, I never thought I could have so much love and excitement in my heart choosing things for a boy. God definitely knew what He was doing with this one.
The biggest need I wanted to fill for Marcos was clothing . Here's what I packed.....
For school supplies, each child needs 8 notebooks. I did a mixture of nicer decorated notebooks and plain notebooks in coordinating colors. I also sent stickers to each child to decorate the plain ones. Marcos likes sports, so I sent him 2 Pittsburgh Steelers notebooks (my local sports team) and 6 plain black notebooks with car stickers to decorate. He also got all of the required supplies, plus some decorative pins that he can use to decorate the outside of his backpack.
I usually buy the plain and less expensive school supplies in bulk, and then find a few decorative things like pencil cases to make them more fun. My children each got two of these 8-packs of pencils, 4 loose pencils (because 20 are required), sharpeners, colorful pencil topper erasers, and a few fun shaped erasers. Marcos' erasers included sports balls and stars.
I also included basic hygiene supplies for each child. These included tooth brushes, tooth paste, soap, and wash cloths. In addition to the school and hygiene items, Marcos is getting a Pittsburgh Steelers shirt, a red shirt for Christmas, another t shirt, a soccer ball (with a pump and needle), and a fidget spinner because I wanted to introduce him to a toy that children here in the states enjoy. I did a storybook theme in my kids' letters this year, so they are each getting at least 1 book in their backpack. Marcos is getting The Squire & The Scroll and The Life of Jim Elliot (for kids). And last, he is getting a picture of he and I from our most recent visit.
Next is Carmen. Carmen is my heart. She is the most loving, joyful, affectionate child I have ever met. She writes the most amazing letters and just wants to love everyone.
Her school supplies were the same idea, except with a little more glitter and floral print. Flowers have a special meaning for she and I. I also included colorful gel pens, because the last time I gave her some, she wrote about how much she loved them for months afterwards.
In addition to school supplies, she is getting all of the same basic hygiene supplies as Marcos, with the addition of scented lotion (same for all of my older girls). For additional items, I tried to make her gifts centered around The Beauty & the Beast/Belle/roses. The Beauty & the Beast is one of the stories I shared in her letters this year, and she already loves flowers. She is getting a floral dress, floral t shirt, another shirt that I forgot to photograph, Belle doll, floral earrings, pictures of she and I from our most recent visit, an American Girl book (my favorites as a child), and the book A Young Woman After God's Own Heart. After taking this picture, I received a letter from Carmen asking if I could send her rain boots for when she walks to church- so I included those too.
Next are Kenia, Irma, and Yessenia. They are family & live together in the neediest community I've ever seen. Most people in this community are not taught to read or write and haven't heard the gospel prior to joining the program. Despite the situations that surround them, my girls have hope for their futures.
My list of needs for this community was much longer than the others. The list included reading materials, vocational training, clothes and shoes, hygiene supplies, things to stay busy, and things to encourage spiritual growth.
I'll start with Irma. Irma is the child who lit up at the thought of being an artist or fashion designer. She is the child who loves purple flowers as much as I do and who is full of love that is just waiting to be shared.
In addition to her basic school and hygiene supplies, Irma is getting an additional sketch pad and Disney princess fashion design coloring book. She is getting a Spanish picture dictionary that shows you things that start with each letter so you can teach yourself how the letters sound, and blank note cards for memorization.
Irma is also getting a red floral dress, an "artist" shirt, shoes, socks for school, a Disney princess puzzle, a stuffed panda, a picture of she and I, and the book Miss Rumphius (it's about flowers and has lots of pictures until she learns to read.)
Her older sister, Kenia, is getting almost identical school and hygiene supplies. In addition, she will receive a pretty pink blouse with a glittery burgundy skirt, a pink butterfly shirt, a shirt that says "I am intelligent and beautiful" in Spanish, jelly shoes, socks for school, a For Such a Time as This picture storybook about women of the bible, a stuffed cat, embroidery floss to learn jewelry making, a bracelet set, and a photo of she and I. The nail charm set shown here didn't end up fitting in her bag, so it was given to a friend for their sponsored child.
The youngest girl, Yessenia, is getting similar learning and hygiene supplies. Her other items include a dress with a bow design for Christmas, a pink shirt with roses on it, jelly shoes, an Elena of Avalor doll, an Elena coloring storybook, an Elena puzzle, an Elena jewelry set, and a picture of she and I from our most recent visit.
Next is Angie. Angie lives in a different area of Honduras and is a sweet, happy child.
Angie comes from a precious family who cares for her. I didn't notice any specific needs in her life, but noticed that she loves watches and jewelry. Over the course of our 3 days together, the only question she asked me was, "Why don't you wear watches?". Angie also loves animals, especially rabbits, and painting.
In addition to the school and hygiene items, Angie is getting a bow dress for Christmas, a Frozen dress (I shared the story with her in a letter), a stuffed rabbit, The Chronicles of Narnia book, the same American Girl book as Carmen, a photo of she and I, a painting set, and a cosmetic bag of fun
Last, we have Amy. Amy is my newest child who I didn't sponsor until after the trip this summer, so I didn't know much about what she liked or needed. Her profile says that she likes dolls and art. I sponsored Amy in honor of my sister, Amy, who passed away. My sister's middle name was Starr, so I knew I wanted to give her as many star-themed gifts as possible.
In addition to all of the basic items, I wanted to give Amy some extra art supplies. I included a drawing pad, 2 coloring books, colored pencils, crayons, and princess markers that can double as little dolls.
For additional items, I went with the gifts that I try to make sure all of my girls have- a bible, a doll, a cross necklace, and a tiara/headband. I also included some play jewelry with stars on it, and a little Shopkins play set to introduce her to a popular toy from my country. She is also getting 3 pieces of clothing with stars on them, including a skirt that matches her doll.
That's basically everything for this year's backpacks. I hope this gave you some insight as you pack for your kids! I can't wait to see what everyone else is packing!
