There are over 14 million orphans in Africa. Many have lost one or both parents because of the AIDS pandemic. By the year 2010, it is estimated that there will be 40 million orphans—that’s nearly equal to the number of public school children in the entire United States. A story on National Public
Radio recently described Zimbabwe the epicenter of the AIDS pandemic in southern Africa.

Receiving an education is out of reach for many of these impoverished children. As many as 50% of the children in Zimbabwe are unable to afford the required school supplies, fees, and uniforms. Thus, they are unable to break the cycle of poverty, hunger, and hopelessness in which they are trapped. Student to Student will help to provide these resources so that children can attend school to learn and to be fed.

North Carolina students have an opportunity to reach out to these suffering children in Zimbabwe. "Student to Student: North Carolina reaches out to Zimbabwe " provides that connection. Such service is not new to North Carolina’s schools. In 2002, students in our state collected over 10,000 school supply kits for children in Afghanistan.

Students across the state are putting together student and teacher kits of basic school supplies. The North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church is supplying warehouse space and the international relief organization,
Stop Hunger Now, is coordinating the distribution of funds received. The Zimbabwe Orphans Endeavor (Project ZOE) is coordinating shipping and distribution through Kuehne and Nagel.

Deadline for delivery of school kits: October 15 of each year. (Here’s why)
Some of you have indicated that you want to participate, but need more time than the October 15 deadline for the first shipment. If so, don't worry. While we want to get as many of the school supply kits as possible to Zimbabwe for the start of school in January, this is an ongoing project, and your supplies can be sent later.

FFA adopts Student to Student as first statewide project! (Details)