Most local adults don't get to head back to school but they can still help kids start the school year on the right foot.

Ten Thousand Villages Langley is collecting school kit supplies for children whose lives are impacted by war, disaster, or poverty.

"In some countries children are not allowed to attend classes without school supplies and a MCC school kit makes it possible for them to go to school" said Olga Nickel, manager of the Ten Thousand Villages store in Langley. "Our efforts to buy a few extra school supplies can make such a big difference in the lives of children."

The campaign runs until the end of September.

Each kit contains four notebooks, four unsharpened pencils, a ruler, a large eraser, and a package of 12 coloured pencils. These supplies are packed in hand-sewn fabric bags and distributed by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) partner agencies in schools and orphanages in Afghanistan, Jordan, Kenya, Ukraine ,and many other countries.

More than 117,000 school kits were distributed last year.

"It is extremely rewarding to be part of a project that brings happiness, hope and encouragement to so many children and their families," said Nickel.

Ten Thousand Villages is a fair trade organization which purchases products from more than 130 artisan groups in more than 35 countries, giving fair value for the work.

"People are truly at the heart of what we do," said Nickel.

"Our desire is to help give artisans the hope, dignity, joy, and respect that come from earning a decent living."

MCC is the relief, development, and service arm of the Mennonite and Brethren in Christ Churches in Canada and the United States.

Started in 1920, MCC is a non-profit organization and currently has approximately 1,100 workers around the world.

Visit mcccanada.ca/kits/school/ for more information or call 888-622-6337. The local store can be reached at 604-534-3868.