For the first seven years of Project JOY we supplied gift boxes with items for children to the community of Harlan. Under advisement from school counselors we changed this to provide Learning Bags in 2007. School counselors informed us that many children did not have proper supplies for learning. This hindered learning and also contributed to school drop-outs.
Imagine your child going to school and not having a pencil to write with or paper to write on. Without the proper supplies there can be no learning. imagine what happens to your self confidence if you are always asking for paper, or to borrow your friends calculator. Learning and self-esteem go hand in hand. By providing Learning Bags we are trying to give these children the basic supplies to help them learn, stay in school and feel like a useful person in society.
The contents of the Learning Bags have been determined by input from School Teachers and Counselors in the Harlan Schools. All items are chosen to be essential for the promotion of learning.
A Learning Bag contains School Supplies and learning material that is packed in a 13"x18" zip lock bag. The contents of of the bag are appropriate for various age groups.
Belle Dahlam is the Coordinator of the Learning Bag section of Project JOY. If you want to know more, or better yet, help by supplying materials or completed bags please contact her at learningbags@projectjoytn.org

Those handing out Learning Bags especially remember one family with a son. When the family came to the table to get a bag, they really looked like they could use some help. The son was so happy to get his bag. Then he saw the table with used story books and, when he was told he could have as many as he wanted, his eyes got big with excitement. He left with A Learning Bag, many books and a big smile on his face. His father said he was so grateful we had come, and he thanked everybody.

Belle Dahlman

Coloring Book
Box of Jumbo Crayons
Story Books (Examples: Books about animals, colors, shapes, numbers or cars and trucks)
Drawing Pad
Small Stuffed Animal, suitable for boy or girl

Primary Writing Tablet
Pencils/Erasers
Glue Sticks
Pencil Box
Round-tip Scissors

Items for learning & fun:

Wide-rule Loose Leaf Paper
Wide-rule Spiral Notebook
2 Pocket Folders
Crayons
Pencils/Erasers
Bottle of Glue
Pencil Box
Scissors

Items for learning & fun:

College-rule Loose Leaf Paper
College-rule Spiral Notebook
2 Pocket Folders
Colored Pencils
Pencils/Pens/Erasers
Bottle of Glue
Scissors
Paperback Dictionary

Items for learning & fun: