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Consider donating school supplies to help Karen people

Needs at the schools change but here are some items that are typically in demand. NGO (non-profit) support for specific supplies fluctuates or disappears. Reach out to us for a most current report on priorities. See further below for current wish lists for specific schools.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES:

  • Laptops – good used ones are perfectly fine. Microsoft Office is a BIG help
  • All schools and the OCEE (education administration) can benefit from laptops!
  • Flip charts and replacement paper for flip charts
  • Magic markers – Black and Blue
  • Pens – black and/or blue (~750 students per school, two high schools)
  • Pencils
  • Erasers
  • Red pens – a much smaller number. These are for teachers to correct and mark tests
  • Student notebooks
  • Copy paper – A4 – “Double A” – LOTS of this! (usually) For tests, exams, quizzes.
  • Copy paper – A75 (like A4 but a few inches longer)
  • Dry-Erase markers for whiteboards – Black, Blue and Red
  • Chalk
  • Erasers for chalkboard
  • Colored pencils
  • Flip charts and extra flip chart paper
  • Poster paper – heavy, all sizes. Typically two foot by 3 foot is a good target size
  • Large plastic tub containers – for storing academic records safely from moisture, etc.
  • Those plastic tubs are convenient for transporting supplies too!
  • Alphabet cards – 1 to 3 or more sets
  • Color cards – example: fruit with associated colors
  • Crayons – many
  • Mats – 6’x6′ (or larger) for students to sit on
  • Riso Master S-4250 Black Ink (for Risograph printer at High Two) – We have photo
  • Riso Master S-4251 Black Ink (for Risograph at High Two) Ask us for photos
  • Printer Ink cartridges for Canon G2000 (extra Black ink cartridges)
  • Printers (Inkjet). They have a lot of Canon brand, so good for exchanging parts.
  • Scotch tape (multi-packs)
  • Staple gun and extra staples (for hanging posters, etc.)
  • ESL learning materials (exercises, pronunciation, lesson plans) on flash drives

PLACES TO SHOP:

It’s much more efficient to bring money to Thailand and shop locally. Transport from your home country is generally very expensive and can be complex. If you’re shopping for heavy or bulky items (bags of rice, flip charts, etc.) consider buying in Mae Sariang. We can check to see if specific items are available in Mae Sariang. It’s easier to just load that into the back of the truck on the way to camp rather than bringing them with you on public transport from CM.

SHOPPING LIST FOR HIGH SCHOOL NO. ONE:

  • Let’s ask the school Principal for a wish list most critical at the time of your trip
  • HP Windows laptop computers for computer training – requested 10/28/2018

SHOPPING LIST FOR HIGH SCHOOL NO. TWO:

  • RISO Ink Tubes, Z Type A, Color: Black, Ink Model No: S-4250 or S-4251 (July 2018)
  • This is ink for their or Risograph EZ Series Duplicator
  • Ink for the Brother printer also (we can get the model #)
  • There is a shop in Mae Sariang where volunteers can buy Brother ink … next to the Tesco Lotus (opposite the clothes market area) – Hsa Pu and friends can help you
  • Chalk and chalk board erasers (July 2018)
  • Copy Paper – box or boxes of A4 Copy Paper (July 2018)
  • Bring in some fruit, vegetables (helps them to have great food for you!)
  • Big bags (25 or 50 lb.) bags of rice (you can get this in MSR on the way)
  • English course books – beginner to intermediate, up to grade ~six. A few to several of each grade level would be a great resource for volunteers! Limited resources here.
  • Flash cards

SHOPPING LIST FOR HIGH SCHOOL NO. THREE:

  • Laptop computers – used or new (with Microsoft Excel)
  • Guitar(s) – new or used (one or more would be awesome!)
  • The highest priority needs at High Three are: staplers, staples, the amplifier with the microphone and stand.
  • Staplers (20+)
  • Staples that fit the staplers (10+ boxes)
  • Amplifier (we have pictures of the amplifier and can send them to you)
  • Microphone and microphone stand

ALSO FOR HIGH THREE:

  • Glue sticks
  • Large sheet paper (its light paper that can unfold into a larger sheet of paper)
  • Poster board paper
  • Notecards
  • Volleyballs
  • Soccer balls
  • One or more laptops or desktop computers (used ones are perfectly fine)
  • Large sheets of plywood for chalk boards
  • One piano keyboard

SHOPPING LIST FOR MAE RA MOE JR COLLEGE:

  • Laptop computers – used or new (with Microsoft Excel) – as of July 2018

SHOPPING LIST FOR BIBLE SCHOOL:

  • Let’s ask the school Principal for a wish list most critical at the time of your trip

ADDITIONAL WISH LIST FOR SCHOOLS AT MRM:

Other school supplies in need at Mae Ra Moe refugee camp and in Karen State.

  • Amplifier – for use with microphone for assembly hall presentations
  • ESL training materials (especially content that can be loaded on flash drives)
  • Windows (any version) on CD
  • Microsoft Office (on CD) for Mac and/or Windows
  • Power strips / surge protectors
  • Diesel for electric generator (bring from Mae Sariang, Mae Sot or Chiang Mai)
  • Batteries for storing power from generator
  • Used digital camera for KAA/Karen Adventist Academy/High School No. 2
  • Used digital cameras for Student Photography Projects
  • Used mobile phones
  • Used tablet and laptop computers
  • Mimeograph machines – cheap to operate and no energy required

SPORTS EQUIPMENT:

  • Soccer balls and nets
  • Volleyballs and nets
  • Cane balls and nets (plastic ones are preferred – they last longer)
  • Badminton rackets and shuttlecocks and nets

NOTE: There are plenty of sporting goods stores in Chiang Mai and Mae Sot.

CURRENT WISH LIST FOR PROJECT KARE FOR MAE RA MOE:

  • Used digital cameras for Student Photography Projects
  • T-shirts – 40+ new tee shirts (Small and Med. size) for student photographers
  • Microphones (wireless, to operate with loudspeakers. “Rode” brand or similar)
  • Pencil boxes for all students – thousands. Ask us for real-time student population

HEALTH SUPPLIES:

  • First Aid Kits
  • Benzyl Benzoate (for scabies treatment)

Priorities change often so if you’re planning a trip contact us for current updates