For starters, here is a guideline from Manna 4 Lempira showing the types of items every backpack should have. Please note this is the 2019 list and may change for future years. Your monthly sponsorship fees cover these items, so you don't have to send them. Some sponsors like to pick out their own supplies for their sponsored children, but anything you don't send will be covered by the ministry. If you choose not to send the supplies, you can still send fun gifts to be added to your child's backpack! Just make sure the gifts are grouped together in a large Ziplock bag and are labeled with your child's name, ID number, and photo. The backpack items are: 8 notebooks, 10 pencils, 2 large erasers, a pencil sharpener, 2 boxes of 24 crayons for younger kids or 2 boxes of 12 colored pencils for older kids, 10 pens (6 black, 2 blue, 2 red) for older kids, a ruler, a pair of scissors, glue sticks, 4 tooth brushes, 2 tubes of toothpaste, a bar of soap, a wash cloth, socks for their school uniforms, and a toy.
This year, I sent each child a few pretty composition notebooks, a pack of pencils, colored pencils, and pencil sharpeners. I wanted them each to have a few fun school supplies from me, and the ministry will provide the rest.
All 7 children's supplies
Supplies for 9-year-old Amy
I also chose to send the school uniform socks and toothbrushes myself, because there were specific styles I wanted them to have. Along with those, I included under shirts for their school uniforms and dental floss. The ministry will provide the other hygiene items. Each child's items are nearly identical, so I'm only sharing one set here.
I like to send each child something to keep them active outdoors, a craft to keep them busy indoors, and something to read. To encourage my girls' walks with God, this year I chose worship/dance ribbons, the His Princess devotional books, bible verse adult coloring books for the older girls, and princess coloring books for the younger girls ($1 each at Dollar Tree). The ribbons are something I saw girls dance with so passionately during church services in Honduras. Most of theirs were homemade and falling apart. The princess books are full of love letters from God, based on scripture. My two girls who already have the princess books are getting missionary stories about Corrie ten Boom and Amy Carmichael. My only boy, Marcos, is getting the book A Teen Boy After God's Own Heart, an outer space coloring set, and a soccer ball ($5 at Five Below) with a pump. I also threw in a few jump ropes I had saved in my stash.
After the most important supplies, I made sure they each had at least one toy. Most of my younger girls are getting LOL dolls, which the ministry director says are very popular among girls in Honduras. My 9-year-old girl who loves mermaids is getting two mermaid surprise dolls and a Shopkins mermaid car. My older girls are getting these miniature bean bag stuffed animals with glittery eyes. Marcos' toy is his soccer ball.
I wanted to include something additional for my older girls who may no longer like toys; so I found these fun cosmetic bags with confetti in the sides and filled them with little accessories. Each one includes mud masks, lip gloss, lip balm, blush, a set of BFF necklaces, a set of friendship bracelets, nail stickers, a nail file, a hair band, and a bible verse card. Most of these items are from Claire's, Justice, and Target.
Last, I sent each child at least one clothing item. I changed my mind about the clothing so many times that I didn't end up with a photo of every item, but I especially love these dresses for my three youngest girls. I got them for $7 each on sale at The Children's Place. I'm also sending a quinceañera dress for my Wendy's 15th birthday, which is the week after the backpack distribution.
Some of my children will get a few extras as I sort through my stash over the next week, but these are the bare minimums of what they all have. Comment below and share some of your favorite things you're packing this year!
