Having adequate clothing to feel good about going to school could help Navajo children attain a higher level of education, tribal leaders believe.
The Navajo Nation Council has appropriated $2.3 million to provide clothing to children in schools across the sprawling reservation in Arizona and Utah.Children in Jeddito, Keams Canyon, Rocky Ridge and Dennehotso received clothing recently as the program began. Ultimately, the program should reach 46,000 children, said Peterson Zah, council president.
Each child receives a package containing a jacket, shirt or blouse, pair of pants and athletic shoes. A student may choose to exchange the shoes for snow boots if they are more appropriate for his or her circumstances.
The program hopes to deal with situations in which children stay away from school because they do not have suitable clothing, said Veronica Freeland-Sam, program coordinator. She cited the instance of a student who was only able to go to school when he could borrow a pair of shoes.
"No child should be denied education because of lack of clothing," she said.
Packages also will be shipped to Navajo students known to be living off the reservations in Monticello and Salt Lake City.
To be eligible, they must be enrolled members of the Nation and between the ages of 4 and 18.