We never saw this need with our own eyes,” declared Elizabeth Pena. “We are grateful to Alabama Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) for helping us see this need. Now we can be involved ourselves.”
Pena, president of WMU in the Maracaibo area of Venezuela, spoke of 34 suitcases of school uniforms that had been provided by Alabama Baptist churches and delivered to Maracaibo Aug. 14 by the evangelistic crusade team.
Pena said the clothes would be used for children from the ranchos, the poorest areas of the city. “These uniforms will make it possible for some of these children to go to school,” she said.
In Venezuela, public school is free but uniforms are required. In the rancho areas, many parents can not afford the uniforms and their children cannot attend school.
At least two uniforms for the school year are required.
The first priority to receive the uniforms will be Mara, a mission of La Fe (The Faith) Baptist Church. Mara was a major site during the April evangelistic crusade led by Alabama WMU. Other uniforms will be used in neighborhoods where Maracaibo-area WMU will participate in future crusade work.
Pena said all the clothes have to be sorted “to see what we have got.” Alabama churches were asked to furnish blue pants, blue socks and underwear along the bottles of vitamins. Shirts are to be provided by the families. Each grade has its own color, churches were told.
“This is a fabulous idea,” Pena continued. “All that Alabama sent stimulated us to repeat this effort. Venezuelan WMU can do this kind of project.”
Helen Palmer, executive secretary of the Baptist Association of Zulia in which Maracaibo is located, said the uniforms ministry will be presented to a national meeting of Venezuelan WMU Sept. 8-10. “We are hopeful this idea will be adopted for use everywhere.”
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