Throughout the year, members of La Pietra - Hawaii School for Girls’ LEO Club collected school supplies and socks for students in Afghanistan. On Friday, June 29, they had an opportunity to understand the impact of their work.

In a conversation via Skype, members of the LEO Club spoke with recipients of their donations and learned more about daily life and education in Afghanistan. The conversation was organized by the Kamehameha Lions Club, which advises the LEOs on their activities. Sacred Hearts Academy’s LEO Club was also on hand (their LEO Club sent eyeglasses to Afghanistan).

Though the internet connection with the Afghan compound was spotty at times, La Pietra students were able to ask questions like, “What is education in Afghanistan like?” and “What more can we do to help?” In the process, they put a face to the project they had worked so hard on.

“It was nice to know that our work really helped them and that we could see them and better understand who they are,” said Taeler Akana ’12.

La Pietra’s LEOs, under the leadership of faculty advisor, Beth McLachlin, had undertaken two projects for Afghanistan: a sock drive and a school supply drive. These are basic needs for Afghan schoolchildren. Backpacks filled with notebooks, pencils, pens, rulers and other supplies were delivered by members of the Lions Club a few months ago. More donations are on the way.

The Skype call helped to put things into perspective for the La Pietra students.

“It makes you realize that there are things in everyday life that other people don’t have access to, simple things that can help a lot. The things we overlook and take for granted are so important and needed for others,” remarked Sonyah Seiden ’12.

The Kamehameha Lions Club has been taking school supplies to Afghanistan for the past six years. The Skype phone call was part of a documentary that Lions Club International will be producing on the project.