The local community has come together in the name of education, raising money for essential stationery items for students in Timor-Leste.
Joyce McGill, of Tura Beach, organised the stationery drive after she found out students were going without these vital educational tools.
"Margaret Taylor (of the Bega Valley Advocates for Timor Leste) showed me slides of East Timor schools where the students did not have anything to write on or with," said Mrs McGill.
Mrs McGill decided to set out on this challenge and has enlisted the support of local businesses and individuals to help.
"A number of local businesses have come on board and helped to raise money or donated items such as exercise books, pencils, rulers, erasers, sharpeners and pens," she said.
"I would sincerely like to thank all the Merimbula and Bega businesses and individuals who responded positively and who have given so generously."
Some of the businesses to donate to the cause were Sapphire Office Services, Merimbula Newsagency, Woolworths Merimbula social club, the Robin Hood Club, Bega Newsagency, Coles Bega, and Mandeni craft centre.
There were also a number of anonymous cash donations to purchase stationery items.
Teachers at the schools in Timor-Leste also wanted to educate students in dressmaking and through the Mandeni craft centre, Mrs McGill has been able to purchase 12 sewing rulers.
"These rulers will go a long way to teaching this very important skill to the students in Timor Leste.
"I was even just talking about it with my art group the other day and some of them said they have spare rolls of material lying around and asked would they like them," said Mrs McGill.
"It has all been through word of mouth and it has been amazing. People have been so willing to give to the cause," she said.
Members of the Bega Valley Advocates for Timor Leste, Alan and Colleen Elton have arranged for the transportation of the items to ensure they reach their destination.
Mrs McGill said they were thinking about making this a regular fundraising activity.
If anyone would like to get involved or has stationery items or lengths of material they do not need, preferably cotton or cotton blend and enough to make skirts or dresses, they can call Mrs McGill on 6495 9411.