After Shoe Drive, Students Hope to Bring Supplies in Return to Cambodia

One year ago, Anna Malafronte and a class of students from Poly Prep organized a shoe drive and brought hundreds of shoes to needy Cambodian youth. While there, Malafronte noticed another need: school supplies.

With that, another trip to Cambodia is set and another drive is ongoing at Runnin' Wild Kids Shoes in Cobble Hill where Malafronte works. From now through Christmas Eve, donations of composition notebooks, non-mechanic pencils and erasers are being accepted.

"My role in the trip last year was teaching music to the students," Malafronte said. "As we were teaching them different notes and songs I saw that only a few kids had sheets of ripped paper that they were using to take notes. It was clear that the students were in need of school supplies and when I made the decision to go back I knew we had to bring them some."

Last year's drive raised over 600 pairs of shoes plus 100 pairs donated by Cienta. Around 100 pairs of shoes were brought to Goodwill and the rest went to Cambodia.

"When the kids saw the shoes their faces lit up. Many of the students were bare foot and so it was very rewarding to know that the drive would make a difference in the community," she said. "Along with the students at the school many of the villagers brought their younger kids and babies which we found shoes for. We were also able to give new shoes to all the teachers and the principle of the school."

Now Anna and four others will be returning along with four new students and hopefully a large load of school supplies. Along with the drive, the students will be teaching a variety of lessons. They have also had the kindergarten class at Poly write letters to the students in Cambodia. They will try to work with the Cambodian students to help them respond to the kindergarteners.

Donations of composition notebooks, non-mechanical pencils and erasers can be dropped off at Runnin' Wild Kids Shoes in Cobble Hill during hours.