UMCOR School Kits: Contents and Sewing Pattern

School Kit

(Updated: 02/26/2005)

In some countries, children don't have books or school supplies. Many have no schoolrooms; classes are held in inadequate or half-destroyed buildings, tents, or even the open air. Often students must write down everything the teacher says or records on a board. Their teacher's knowledge and their own notes are their only textbooks. School kits may be these children's only educational resources. This UMCOR kit is designed for a variety of ages.

1 pair blunt scissors (rounded tip)
2 pads (or loose leaf) of 8 1/2" x 11" ruled paper
1 30-centimeter ruler
1 hand held pencil sharpener
6 unsharpened pencils with erasers
1 eraser, 2 1/2"
12 sheets construction paper (varied colors)
1 box of 24 crayons (only 24)

Prepare a 14" x 16" (finished size) cloth bag with handles and a closure (Velcro®, snap or button) and place items in the bag. Patterns are available from UMCOR Sager Brown or click here for a pattern that you can use.

Value: $11 per kit.
In a separate envelope, please send a check written to UMCOR Sager Brown for at least $1.00 for each kit to help with the costs of processing and shipping kits around the world.

Photo: School kit bag and contents. Click on photo to see larger version. Click here for a high resolution photo suitable for printing. Credit: Marilyn and Roy Reese

Pattern for School Bag

Kit pattern updated: February 26, 2005

Click here for a print-friendly version of the pattern below.

Pattern for School Bag: Instructions on drawing are reprinted on this page.

Make the Bag

USE HEAVY DUTY FABRIC (not lightweight). Cut 2 pieces of cloth 15" x 19" allowing 1/2" for seams on sides and bottom and 2 1/2" hem at the top. This will give the required finished size 14" x 16".

Place the two 15" x 19" pieces of cloth together, right sides together, and sew a 1/2" seam down one side across the bottom and up the other side, leaving the top open.

Turn the bag so the seam is inside the bag.

Turn under 1/2" of the top edge and stitch.

Turn under 2" at the top to form a hem and stitch.

Make the Handles

For handles cut 2 pieces 4" x 23".

Fold in half the length of one of the 4" x 23" pieces with right sides together. Stitch with a 1/2" seam allowance and turn the seam to the inside.

Repeat with the second piece of cloth.

Place one handle at the top of the bag, turning under 1/2" raw edge of the material and secure by stitching. Repeat with the other piece of cloth making the handle on the opposite side of the bag.

Optional Closure

Closures are optional and may be done with buttons, snaps or Velcro.

When using Velcro, stitch small pieces of Velcro near the top center inside of the bag, Velcro loops on one side, Velcro hooks on the other.

UMCOR thanks the Alabama West Florida Conference United Methodist Women for this pattern for school kit bags.

Send the School Kits to the UMCOR Depot

To learn what the current needs are call 1-800-814-8765. Send completed kits to: UMCOR Sager Brown Depot, P.O. Box 850, 131 Sager Brown Road, Baldwin, LA 70514-0850. Please note that all items included in kits must be NEW!

All emergency kits have been carefully planned to make them as usable as possible in the greatest number of situations. Because of strict rules imposed by international communities regarding product entry into their countries, it is important that kits contain only the items requested and nothing more. Do not include any personal notes, money or additional materials. These things must be painstakingly removed and will impede the progress of the shipment.

Kits should be packed in boxes with only one type kit in each box. The contents should be clearly written on the outside or inside of the box. Please use the shipping label: you can get it on this website in PDF and Word format. Thank you for including the shipping list; it expedites the depot's work. (To get the label, click on the words "Word" or "PDF format" above. The free Adobe Acrobat® Reader must be installed on your computer in order for you to read and print PDF files.)

It is very important to send money for kit processing and shipping costs. This enables material resources to be sent without delay to areas in need. Please send at least $1 for each kit that you have prepared or planned. This support is vital to the emergency kit program. You may send the money for shipping directly to UMCOR Sager Brown at the address above along with the kits or you may send it to: UMCOR Advance #982730, Contain Your Joy.

Choose a Kit: Bedding - Bulk - Flood Bucket - Health - Layette - School - Sewing - Shipping Label/Packing List - Print-friendly.

07/04/2008 10:39:00 PM