Every year, as we enter the second half, Dear Future becomes a hive of activity in preparation for the upcoming school year in our support countries. This process requires a lot of strategic planning, coordination, and financial diligence to ensure that our resources are used responsibly and effectively.
Here’s a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work that goes into making sure we can provide school supplies to children in Peru and Uganda for 2025:
1. Surveying School Principals and Partners (July–August):
The process begins by sending surveys to school principals in Peru and our nonprofit partners in Uganda. This will be our third year of giving school supplies in these countries, and as we grow, our data becomes more accurate. These surveys help us understand if the materials provided are meeting the needs of students, if they are lasting as long as expected, and if any adjustments are needed. Are there materials we need to increase? Are we giving some in excess? These insights are crucial to fine-tuning our distribution.
2. Gathering Student Numbers (August):
Once the surveys are returned, we request current student lists from our beneficiary schools. These lists help us project the needs for the next school year. We estimate how many new students might join and how much additional stock will be necessary. The data from previous years, combined with the current information from school principals, helps us make informed decisions about the quantities and types of supplies needed.
3. Financial Review and Cost Analysis (August–September):
Financial analysis is another key step. We compare the numbers provided by our beneficiaries with our available resources and budget. Since the needs in Peru and Uganda vary greatly, so do the costs. For instance, the terrain and distance in Peru make logistics more complex, while in Uganda, the dense population around the capital allows us to reach more students more quickly. We also factor in inflation and aim to lock in low-season prices to maximize the impact of our funding.
4. Finalizing Numbers and Expanding Reach (September):
By September, we finalize the number of students and schools we can support. For 2025, we’re excited to announce that in Peru, we’ll be adding three more schools to our list, thanks to careful planning and budgeting. Meanwhile, in Uganda, where economic conditions are more challenging, we’re focusing on distributing essential supplies like notebooks, pencils, and sharpeners to a larger number of students in densely populated areas; this year we are still fundraising to give these general packages to 3500 students in densely populated regions. This approach allows us to make the biggest impact in areas where students need it the most.
5. Purchasing Season (September–December):
Our purchasing season runs from September through December, and timing is everything. By making early purchases, we capture the best prices before the demand spikes during the school season. We’ll be traveling to Uganda in September to secure supplies at favorable rates, and in Peru, we’re working to take advantage of current low prices to lock in our purchases before the end of November.
6. Storage and Scalability:
Storing the materials is another logistical challenge. Fortunately, we have strong partnerships in both countries, allowing us to safely store the supplies for several months before our giveaways in February (Uganda) and March (Peru). Our experience has enabled us to streamline the process, making it scalable as we grow and reach more children each year.
As we continue to refine and expand our operations, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our supporters. Your contributions are making a real difference, and thanks to the processes we’ve developed, we ensure that every donation is used responsibly and effectively to help children in need.
Thank you for being part of our mission to empower students through education and supplies, and for helping us turn our dreams into action!
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