On June 24th our Junior Ladies of Charity traveled to Buffalo Public School #6 School of Technology to meet our second grade pen pals. What an awesome day! The school is located on South Division St. and Hickory, not far from downtown. There are 18 children in the class with the majority being refugees from all over the world. Their teacher, Miss Paula, is a friend of mine, which is how we started our relationship with her class.

We started a relationship with the class this past September, supplying them with notebooks and boxes of tissues for the classroom and began sending them treat bags, craft kits, Christmas cookies, etc. for holidays. They sent us thank you notes and drawings in return. From there we began a pen pal program! The Juniors and students have been sending letters back and forth since January.

Our hope was to find a day when our girls were out of school and the students were in school so we could visit them. That wish came true on June 24th and 13 JLOC and 3 adults paid a visit to the children! They were waiting outside the school for us, sitting on some benches and when we arrived they started jumping up and down! We slowly made introductions and matching up the pen pals. They were very shy at first but when we headed to the playground they were off and running and the fun never stopped from there!!!

It was so heartwarming to see everyone playing together and bonding, playing on the swings and jungle gym, racing each other and playing hide and seek! We brought a snack to share and the teacher provided juice and water.

When it was time to say goodbye they were hugging each other and wished their time together could continue. We walked them to the school door and wished them well!!!

This coming September the Juniors will start fresh with new second graders and with a grant of $150 from the National Ladies of Charity our girls were awarded, we will be able to expand on our aid to the teacher and students.

Source: Ladies of Charity USA Website