School Supplies Could Be the Key to Ending Poverty
- ajoyce140
- Aug 15
- 4 min read
“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” - Malala Yousafzai.
It’s no coincidence that National Nonprofit Day and National Back-to-School Prep Day fall in the same week.
There’s something powerful about the momentum education creates. Many philanthropists who give millions each year say that investments in education are some of the most rewarding and long-lasting contributions they’ve ever made.
And it makes sense.
When we invest in education, we all benefit.
The Impact of Education
Education is the bridge between generations that ensures human progress. It is the foundation of personal and professional success, inspiring young minds to innovate, create, and contribute meaningfully to society.
There is a reason that the UN has emphasized that expanding education initiatives is crucial to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
These goals aim to end poverty and hunger, ensure quality education and health for all, achieve gender equality, provide clean water and energy, promote decent work and economic growth, reduce inequalities, protect the planet, and achieve peace while building strong institutions. Together, they form a global roadmap for sustainable development, highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental protection, social inclusion, and economic prosperity.
Investing in education strengthens communities.
Educated individuals are more likely to secure stable jobs, contribute to the local economy, and make healthier choices for themselves and those around them. In short, education uplifts lives and transforms communities.
What Stops Kids From Going to School?
Right now, 251 million children are out of school. Many children around the world cannot go to school because of poverty, conflict, or lack of access to facilities. Some families cannot afford school fees, uniforms, or supplies, while others need their children to work to help at home. Girls often face extra barriers, like early marriage or cultural expectations, and children with disabilities may lack the support they need to learn.
Health, nutrition, and safety also play a big role. Sick or malnourished children struggle to attend or focus at school. In some areas, schools are too far away, unsafe, or damaged by war or natural disasters. These obstacles keep millions of children from learning and from reaching their full potential.
How LIFE for Relief and Development USA (LIFE) is Helping Kids Go to School and Succeed
LIFE has been supporting children worldwide in accessing education through a variety of programs. From building schools and funding teacher salaries and training to providing scholarships and essential school supplies, LIFE helps remove the barriers that keep children from learning.
Each year, LIFE runs its Back-to-School program, where generous donors make it possible for children in need across 29 countries to receive backpacks full of school supplies.
In 2023/2024 alone, LIFE distributed 28,400 backpacks worldwide.
Though seemingly small, these backpacks can be a game-changer. For families struggling with tuition fees and the costs of supplies, a backpack can be the tipping point that allows their child to attend school. For children already in school, having the proper tools can make the difference between struggling to keep up and thriving academically.
Without basic supplies, children may be forced to memorize lessons without writing them down, which can severely limit their learning and confidence. LIFE’s backpacks help level the playing field, giving students the tools they need to succeed and unlocking the door to a brighter future.
What’s in a LIFE Backpack?
Besides potential and opportunity, LIFE includes the most important school materials in every backpack, giving each student the highest chance of success in their studies.
● Pencils & pens
● Paper & workbooks
● Markers & crayons
● Calculator
● Water bottle
● Books
● Other essential school supplies
Real Stories
Sumayah – Somalia
I have always dreamed of becoming an engineer. I love building things. My brother and I would spend hours coming up with new inventions, using our imaginations and whatever scraps we could find at the junkyard. But for a long time, going to school felt impossible. I had to help my mother with chores, cleaning, cooking, and walking long distances to fetch water.
When LIFE came to my village and started distributing backpacks and encouraging girls to go to school, it moved my mother to tears. She had always wanted this for me, but we didn’t have the means. With these school supplies and a little encouragement, she decided I could finally attend school in the fall of 2024.
Last year, I received all A’s in my courses. Now, thanks to LIFE, I’m on my way to making my dream of becoming an engineer a reality! – Sumayah, 8 years old
Yahyah – Egypt
Every year, I went to school without the supplies I needed, no backpack, no pens or pencils, no paper. My parents couldn’t afford them. Studying was difficult, and completing homework was nearly impossible. My teachers knew my situation and tried to help, but even then, I barely passed my classes.
That all changed last year when LIFE came to my city and gave us backpacks full of school supplies. For the first time, I could truly participate in class, do my homework properly, and enjoy learning. My grades improved, and my confidence grew.
Thank you to LIFE’s donors for giving me the tools I needed to succeed. I’m so grateful and so excited to start another school year. – Yahyah, 10 years old
Help a Child Reach Their Full Potential
With your support, LIFE can continue putting backpacks into the hands of children like Sumayah and Yahyah, children whose potential is limitless but whose opportunities are too often cut short.
Together, we can break down barriers, open doors, and ensure that the next generation is equipped to lead, innovate, and thrive. Which in turn will benefit us all for generations to come.
