PROJECT INDIA
Partner: Aralu Belaku No.Kids supported: 37
Our Work At a Glance
We help kids in under-resourced communities with essential educational supplies and assistance We believe that every kid deserves to be supported and celebrated!
GIFTKIDS​
We are a global 501(c)(3) organization based in Palo Alto, California.
PROJECT INDIA
Partner: Aralu Belaku No. of kids supported: 37
**Project Description:**
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The 'Belaku' (morning light) home supports street kids in Bidar, Karnataka, India, primarily from the oppressed Dalit community.
Many come from single-parent households or are orphans, facing challenges like long walks to school in harsh weather conditions. 2017-2020, Giftkids provided colorful sweaters for Diwali, sturdy backpacks with school supplies, and blankets for winter warmth. Read our blog for more about our journey and impact!
PROJECT AFGHANISTAN
Partner: International Rescue Committee No. of kids supported: 32
​**Project Description**:
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In 2018, we teamed up with Rescue.org in San Jose to support refugee families rebuilding their lives in the U.S, particularly those from Afghanistan.
Giftkids provided starter gift packages, including a gift card, plush toy, and handwritten welcome cards, for children aged 2 and up as they enrolled in new schools. We were excited to make a impact on these kids' lives! Rescue.org highlighted our efforts in this initiative here!
PROJECT HAITI
Partner: Greater Good Haiti No. of kids supported: 36
**Project Description**:
Founded by local PAUSD teacher Kelly Kobza, GGH is a school located on the island of La Gonave, Haiti, dedicated to the remedial education of illiterate children. These first-generation learners attend this free school with aspirations of continuing their education.
Thanks to Kelly's unwavering efforts, the school has achieved a remarkable 100% pass rate on the 6th grade National Haitian Exam, allowing students to advance to high school! Unfortunately, many children face barriers to attendance, such as lacking shoes for the long journey to school.
In 2017, Giftkids addressed this need by shipping study shoes to the students. The following year, Giftkids funded an educational trip to Port Au Prince for the graduating students who passed the National Exam. From 2019 to 2021, our funds were allocated to providing essential midday meals for the children at school. Read more in our blog post!
GK Scholarship
Partner: James Lick High School No.Kids supported: 2 per year (2022 & 2023)
​ Our blog post on this
OUR VOLUNTEERS
kids helping kids
A big heartfelt thank you to all our lovely young volunteers in our community - who come from local middle & high schools.
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Read our blog for details and see the slideshow here from our event pics!
HOW YOU CAN HELP
We are delighted to have your support! There are 2 ways you can help us
DONATE
SPREAD THE WORD
We are a growing organization and the best way to help us is to spread the word and participate! Share Giftkids with your friends & family this holiday season.
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ABOUT
Hi - I am Riya, a Senior in College. This all started when I was in 6th grade and met Kelly, a Palo Alto school teacher who runs a literacy program for children in Haiti. When Kelly shared her story with us, my first thought was that I wanted to help her school.
Giftkids was born, a small idea at first, to help these 36 Haitian kids with new shoes to encourage them to attend school everyday. The first daunting challenge was to raise funds. I marketed my idea via Instagram and Facebook, started an enthusiastic blog and was soon overwhelmed as friends and family chipped in to support. I researched many stores for the best prices and finally found a website which sold new goods to non-profits at deep discounts. At the first event in my house, a dozen of my friends helped wrap the gifts and write inspiring notes. By the winter of 2018, our second event, we needed a larger space as we had more than twice the number of volunteers!
In the seven years since its start, Giftkids today has helped hundreds of kids in need in Haiti, India, Afghanistan, the United States and locally, right here in San Jose, California. This is my story so far and it would mean the world to me if you could check out our work - I'd absolutely love to have your support!
CONTACT US
Email:
team@giftkids.net
501(c)3 Tax ID no: 82-1629327
GIFTKIDS, INC
©2017 BY GIFTKIDS. PROUDLY CREATED WITH WIX.COM