Utah
How you can help Utah’s refugee children with school supplies
Estimated learn time: 2-3 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — 1000’s of refugee kids in Utah now have new backpacks full of all of the necessities for his or her first day of college.
The Utah Refugee Connection handed out faculty provides Thursday at Granite Park Junior Excessive.
It was the primary such distribution for the Utah Refugee Connection because the begin of the pandemic.
Donations from companies and the group made the giveaway attainable.
“I am very completely satisfied to be part of this,” stated Puok Puok, a volunteer who handed out provides to households that reminded of his personal. “Makes me very completely satisfied, as a result of I do know they may do one thing good within the faculty, in order that they know the group is with them.”
He got here right here from Sudan 27 years in the past, as warfare divided the nation.
“So, the state of affairs again dwelling was not good as a result of persons are combating, folks getting killed, folks working away. They go to refugee camps,” he added.
At 21 years outdated, his household trusted organizations just like the Utah Refugee Connection to prepare this drive annually.
He gained one thing greater than faculty provides.
“It represents a child going to high school in a brand new nation, in a brand new state of affairs,” stated Amy Dott Harmer, government director on the Connection.
She stated communities and companies throughout northern Utah got here collectively this yr and gathered almost 5,000 backpacks.
Each child wants to begin the college yr with a bit of little bit of confidence.
–Amy Dott Harmer, Utah Refugee Connection
“Each child wants to begin the college yr with a bit of little bit of confidence,” she stated.
“They’re very excited as a result of a few of them, they do not count on this to occur,” Puok stated.
It is group assist that continues to assist Puok and his household of six youngsters.
It is why he retains coming again to offer again.
“I come empty-handed once I come into this nation, however now I am someone,” he stated.
The Utah Refugee Connection wants assist with primary faculty, dwelling, and hygiene provides year-round.
You may get extra data on tips on how to assist right here.