By Betty Gandee

Children in rural West Virginia are struggling for so many reasons.

The above-average poverty in West Virginia, lower-than-average education levels, and high rates of adolescents giving birth are just a few examples. Plus, the state is still dealing with the aftermath of the torrential rain and flash floods that destroyed parts of the state in 2016. The storms left 5,500 homes damaged and affected 100 schools, libraries, and childcare centers. More than 9,000 families registered with FEMA for federal assistance.
Save the Children arrived at the affected areas within hours to support the families who needed it most. They provided immediate support to children and families – distributing infant care supplies like blankets, cribs and diapers, plus cookware, dishes, and hygiene items to families who had lost everything. They continue to work with long-term recovery groups to assess and address the needs of West Virginia’s children. Save the Children’s work has benefited 53,351 children and adults in West Virginia.
Save the Children works in restoring access to schools, restoring access to early learning and childcare, supporting out-of-school programs and libraries, and supporting children’s resiliency.
The Parents as Teacher’s organization has teamed up with Save the Children and The United Way to provide Lending Libraries for each of the counties elementary schools. These libraries will be available 24/7 to students and families. They will be placed in easy access areas at each school and painted to match each schools’ colors. Volunteers met on Wednesday, September 19 to construct and paint these libraries here in Clay County. Cathryn Miller with Save the Children headed up the project and was helped by a group of parents.