Following a successful ALMT grant last year, this funding will enable School in a Bag to provide their bright red rucksacks full of essential resources to children in Pakistan, whose education has been badly affected by the floods in 2022. It is estimated that at least 29,500 schools were destroyed or damaged across the country.

School in a Bag will distribute 500 SchoolBags, hygiene kits and Lifestraws to primary aged children in flood affected areas with their in-country partner the Education and Life Foundation.

The equipment in the SchoolBags will help the children write, read, draw and calculate. Each bag typically contains: 12 pencils, 10 biro pens, 12 colouring pencils, a maths set, ruler, pencil case, 6 exercise books (lined, square and plain) and a lunch-box and spork. The bags also contain a hygiene pack with toothbrush, toothpaste, flannel, soap and washable facemask enabling children to stay clean and healthy. Following a successful pilot last year, SIAB will also include
LifeStraws and water bottles. This will give children access to 4,000 litres of clean water, 99.9% free of parasites and bacteria; potentially saving their lives considering the devastating impact of the flooding on safe water sources across the country.

This project in Pakistan will lead to:
• Increased attendance at school due to having resources, water bottles and food containers
• Increased health and wellbeing from safe, clean water and accessing a meal at school
• children attending school for the first time.

At present in Pakistan many children have no school building and no equipment. Having the correct equipment motivates children to attend and stay in school which drastically improves their levels of academic achievement. In this instance, following such destruction of school facilities, the SchoolBags will mean that learning can take
place anywhere as long as there is a teacher or a will to learn.