In 1994, UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) assembled school supplies in a large box for use by teachers in Rwandan refugee camps.

Since then, UNICEF's School-in-a-Box program has provided educational supplies to teachers in areas affected by civil unrest, earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis.

The purpose of  School-in-a-Box is to ensure the continuation of children's education in the first 72 hours of an emergency. Each kit contains essential school supplies and materials for a teacher and up to 80 students when classes are taught twice each day to 40 students each. Teachers can use the inside cover of the box as a chalkboard. 

In 1996, Lions Clubs International signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UNICEF to support the School-in-a-Box program. 

After Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005, UNICEF and it partner agencies, including Lions Clubs International, delivered more than 2,000 kits to the region, helping 160,000 children. Kits have been distributed in Afghanistan, El Salvador, Eritrea, Gambia, Grenada, Haiti, Indonesia, Liberia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other areas around the world.

Lions Can Help
Each UNICEF School-in-a-Box costs approximately US$198. Lions clubs, Leo clubs, districts or multiple districts who wish to donate to the purchase of a School-in-a-Box kit should send a check made payable to: "Lions Clubs International Foundation" with the notation, "School-in-a-Box" and send to:

Lions Clubs International Foundation
300 W. 22nd Street
Oak Brook, Illinois 60523-8842 USA
E-mail: lcif@lionsclubs.org

Contributions can also be made by credit card: Visa, MasterCard or American Express.  

Banner Recognition Patch
Lions clubs or districts that donate US$500 to LCIF for the Lions/UNICEF School-in-a-Box program will receive a free banner patch recognition. Lions clubs will receive a chevron patch recognition for each subsequent annual donation of US$500 or more. Use the handy banner patch application (IAD-306-A).

Resources
School-in-a-Box Fact Sheet (IAD-306)
School-in-a-Box brochure: contact Health and Children's Services Department to order.

Banner Patch Recipients
To view the honor roll of Lions clubs, Leo clubs and districts that have received the Lions-UNICEF School-in-a-Box banner patch recognition, click here.  

For More Information 
Health and Children's Services
Lions Clubs International
300 W. 22nd Street
Oak Brook, Illinois  60523-8842  USA
E-mail: children@lionsclubs.org