Students at Missouri Southern plan to help impoverished families in Peru through their service-learning project.

Threads of Hope provides opportunities for women living in shantytowns around Lima and helps them create a new life for their families through making fiber art Bible covers, purses, pillow cases, and clothing.

Students will gather and process fabric and toiletry donations, and secure transport of the materials to Plano, Texas, where they will be routed to Peru.

Donation points will be set up around campus with donations accepted until April 22.

Fabrics such as polyester or bathing suit fabric, velvet and silks will be accepted. Personal items for the women involved in the project, like toothbrushes, toothpastes, lotion, shampoo, and body wash, can also be placed in the collection boxes. The women are also in need of reading glasses in various strengths.

“It is gratifying to see business students so involved in corporate social responsibility before they’ve begun their careers,” said Dr. Nanette Philibert, assistant professor of management.

More information about the Threads of Hope project can be found at www.forrestoutreachfoundation.org