This summer, the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid once again launched its school supply collection campaign entitled “Let’s Erase the Differences!” During the final week of August, children in one hundred locations across Hungary, and in September at donation distributions in communities beyond Hungary’s borders, a total of 1,321 children will receive school bags and school supplies from the staff of the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid.

The aim of the “Let’s Erase the Differences!” campaign is to help reduce the inequalities among children that arise from financial hardship by providing them with donated school supplies. According to the experience of the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, it is highly significant for children facing difficult circumstances whether they can start the school year with equipment comparable to that of their peers. If they are not confronted with shortages and differences, they are less exposed to stigma from their peers, feelings of shame and, as a consequence, the risk of dropping out of school.

The Hungarian Reformed Church Aid launched its nationwide distribution campaign in Debrecen on August 25, where 120 primary and secondary school students received the supplies they need to start the new school year. Following the distribution of school bags and school supplies, Péter H. Giflo, Deputy Executive Director of the foundation, said that one of the most important tasks of the organization is to support families and children in need.

“We are in contact with families who share both the difficulties and the joys of their lives with us. We see and experience that purchasing school supplies can be a serious challenge for them. But when we hand over school bags, stationery and notebooks, and see the genuine joy on the children’s faces, it also gives us renewed strength in our service. This is precisely why the Reformed Church established the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid: to provide help to people who are facing hardship and are in need.”

The Hungarian Reformed Church Aid announced its nationwide collection campaign in June, which was supported by a large number of individual and corporate donors. Throughout August, the foundation also organized collection drives at stores across the country. The 1,321 children receiving support include children growing up in large families, children living in single-parent families, children living in disadvantaged settlements, as well as children from Transcarpathia, Partium and Vojvodina.