Give the Basics. Unlock a Future.
In communities across Playa del Carmen, Cancun, and the Riviera Maya, far too many children begin the school year on the wrong foot—not because they lack potential, but because they lack basic tools to succeed. It’s hard to learn without a notebook, and showing up without pens can be embarrassing, sometimes keeping students from returning.
Esmeralda - Teacher:
“There are days when in a class of 22 students, only three will have a pencil. You can imagine how that disrupts teaching and learning.”
Read about the reasons students don’t have basic school supplies here.
Our School Supplies Program ensures no student faces these barriers. By providing backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, protractors, and more, KKIS ensures every child can step into the classroom with confidence, dignity, and opportunity.
How the Program Works
Each year, KKIS partners with local schools to identify students at risk of being left behind due to lack of supplies. Most schools are within a 15-minute drive of downtown Playa del Carmen.
Needs Assessment
Grade-Specific Backpacks
Every child receives a kit with a backpack, notebooks, pens, pencils, folders, glue, rulers, and basic art supplies. Kits are tailored by grade level and need.
Community Engagement
KKIS scholarship students, volunteers, and sponsors come together to assemble and distribute backpacks during our annual back-to-school volunteer events—an excellent opportunity for educational volunteering in Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
Direct Delivery to Students
Backpacks are delivered to each school before the first day of class, so every student starts on equal footing. The excitement of having proper tools is visible in every child’s smile.
Why It Matters
Last year, KKIS supplied over 2,500 students across 5 schools with essential backpacks. Students with proper supplies are more likely to attend regularly, participate fully, and perform better academically—even in challenging economic conditions.
“This backpack means I can go to school without being embarrassed.”
“This backpack means a chance to keep moving forward”
Your Support Makes a Real Difference
What your contribution achieves:
- $25 funds one student’s backpack for a full school year
- $750 sponsors backpacks for a full classroom
- $3,000 underwrites an entire school’s annual program, including logistics and volunteer coordination
Your donation covers materials, shipping, volunteer training, event coordination, and quality control—ensuring maximum local impact.
Volunteer With Us
Your presence matters—not just for packing supplies, but for making students feel valued.
Volunteer roles include:
Organizing and sorting school supply donations
Co-packing backpacks alongside students and community members
Delivering backpacks to partner schools
Supporting logistics and student engagement during packing events
Bring your energy, care, and connection. KKIS provides guidance, training, supplies, and gratitude, plus a memorable volunteer impact.
Stories of Impact
Ana, 7th Grade
When Ana first came to school, she lacked a notebook and missed classes out of embarrassment. Receiving her KKIS backpack changed her attitude—she became one of the most engaged students in her class.
Teacher testimonial: “Our classrooms feel more equitable when students arrive with the right tools. Thank you, KKIS, for making education accessible.”
Why Give Supplies? It’s Smart Giving
- Instant, measurable impact: see the change within hours of packing events
- Low overhead, high value: most funds go directly into grade-specific backpacks
- Community-building power: volunteers and sponsors connect with schools, students, and each other
- Momentum for future programs: starts with the basics, feeding KKIS’s broader scholarship pipeline
Many backpacks come from corporate volunteer groups and organizations visiting the Riviera Maya for retreats and give-back events.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are backpacks delivered?
Right before the new school year, usually late August or early September.
Can I sponsor more than one backpack?
Yes, many supporters sponsor multiple students or an entire classroom.
What types of schools participate?
We partner with local public schools serving economically vulnerable communities in Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and the Riviera Maya.
Are delivery costs covered?
Yes, donations cover logistics, delivery, and quality assurance.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Thank you for helping every child start school ready to learn. Your support turns the first day into hope, opportunity, and a step toward a brighter future.