The best gift ever
Four-year-old Brian receives new school supplies from OB Peru on his first day back to school, which also happened to be his birthday.
The supplies that Brian and his sisters received were part of OB Peru’s “Back to School” campaign.
HUAYCAN, Peru – For 4-year-old Brian, the start of a new school year didn’t bring him the same excitement he saw in other children.
Brian is the youngest of 4 children. His father lost his job recently, and because of health complications he cannot secure a new position, so Brian’s mom found work washing clothes. The little money that she earns helps provide food for the family, but there simply aren’t any extra funds for other purposes.
So Brian and his sisters began the school year with old books that they carried in plastic bags instead of backpacks.
“My children understand the situation,” said Brian’s mom, Pilar, “That’s why they try to do as well as possible with what they have, but it really hurts to not be able to buy them even a backpack.”
To make matters even harder, the first day of school was Brian’s birthday. But there were no birthday gifts for him this year.
What Brian and his mom didn’t know was that OB Peru would be at Brian’s school that day for a special “Back to School” campaign. To everyone’s surprise and delight, Brian and his 3 sisters all received brand new backpacks full of school supplies for the school year.
“This was the best gift ever!” said Brian as he hugged his backpack tightly. Because of this gift, Brian will have all the tools he needs to keep learning.
OB Peru, in partnership with Containers of Hope, has distributed school supplies to 285 children already this year, with a total of 885 children benefitting from the program since its inception last year.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Operation Blessing is helping to transform the futures of children like these by providing clean water, education assistance, nutritional feeding programs, medical care and more.
Please make an online contribution toward OBI's orphan care programs today and help us continue to reach those in need.