From Indiana to Haiti: 400 donated desks bring hope to new school

RUSSIAVILLE, Ind. — A casual conversation between neighbors has resulted in 400 desks and 400 chairs being donated from an Indiana school district to a new school in Haiti.

The donation originated when Western School Corporation Superintendent Kyle Zahn mentioned upcoming school remodels to his neighbor, Pat Baumer, an ambassador and former board chair for the humanitarian relief organization Midwest Mission.

Drawing on his experience as an educator and his time witnessing under-resourced classrooms during a mission trip to Honduras, Baumer asked Zahn if the unused furniture could be repurposed for children in developing countries. That neighborly chat quickly turned into a massive logistical effort.

Volunteers loaded the donated classroom furniture directly into a shipping container at Western Intermediate School on Thursday morning. By loading the container directly in Indiana rather than transporting it first to Midwest Mission’s Illinois headquarters, the organization saved transportation resources and ensured the furniture would reach students more quickly.

The shipment is destined for a new school currently being built in Haiti by Midwest Mission’s partner, Food For The Poor.

“These desks may no longer be nee...