1,000 Bags are Donated Support Students in Mexico — Rex Maughan Forever Giving Foundation

Children in Cancun, Mexico, who received a bag with school supplies at Keeping Kids in School’s largest packing event ever.

In fall 2022, the Rex Maughan Forever Giving Foundation partnered with Playa del Carmen-based Keeping Kids in School (KKIS) to help students in Mexico have access to education.

KKIS provides financial assistance, community connections, and educational opportunities to students who might not be able to attend school otherwise due to the cost. In the south of Mexico, public high school education is not free, yet it is required for nearly all jobs, especially in tourist destinations like the Riviera Maya. Students who want to go to high school must pay for an entrance exam, school fees, transportation and uniforms, which typically totals $650.

Beyond that, some younger children don’t attend school because their families can’t afford school supplies. A year’s worth of school supplies for one child costs, on average, $25 USD, and Mexico’s minimum wage is $7 USD per day. For many parents, just getting the supplies needed costs a week of wages.

With a mission to change lives through education by improving graduation rates and preparing students for careers — and a belief that all children should have access to 12 years of education — KKIS supports students from kindergarten through university with programs including school supply donation and scholarships.

To help with this, in October 2022, members of Forever Living Products’ Executive Team, Global Leadership Team and Eagle Managers gathered at the Eagle Manager’s Retreat in Cancun to pack 1,000 bags with school supplies for one year. KKIS notes that it was the biggest packing event that they have ever had. The bags were then distributed to children at a junior high school, Escuela Secundaria General No. 20 José Martin, in Cancun where a need for supplies was identified.

Volunteers donate time to help pack 1,000 bags.

“It was great to spend time with all the amazing people from Forever Giving,” says Mallory Evans, part of KKIS’ Events & Donor Relations team. “I’m so excited to share that packing 1,000 backpacks is the largest packing event we’ve ever done and with Forever Giving’s volunteers it was so smooth. We truly appreciate your commitment to empowering students to graduate.”

Each bag packed during the retreat helped ensure that a child will go to school with the tools he or she needs to succeed. Donations for the bags was raised by Forever Business Owners around the world.

Forever Living always gives back locally in countries and cities where the company hosts events, which is why the Rex Maughan Forever Giving Foundation chose to support this cause.

"It was so wonderful to get involved with the Eagle Managers and show them first-hand the impact we are making for Keeping Kids in School as we were able to deliver the bags straight to the kids that day,” says Forever Living President Gregg Maughan. “What a special moment that was.”