Pencils of Promise
| Type | Non-governmental organization |
|---|---|
| Founded | October 2008 |
| Founder(s) | Adam Braun |
| Headquarters | |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Focus(es) | Education |
| Method(s) | Building of schools in developing countries |
| Website | pencilsofpromise.org |
Pencils of Promise, also known as PoP for short, is a non-profit organization that builds schools and increases educational opportunities in the developing world. Pencils of Promise was founded by Adam Braun in October 2008. It is a 501(c)(3) organization with school-building operations in Laos, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Ghana. By June 2013, the charity has built more than 150 schools in a number of countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Activities
Origin of name
The origin of the name comes from incident in India when Braun was visiting the country. He asked a poor street child what he wished to have most of all. The boy answered: "a pencil", so Braun gave him his pen, hence the name of the charity.[1] Realizing how important education was in many developing countries, Braun visited more than 50 countries distributing pens, pencils and school supplies to children wherever he went. In October 2008, he established the charity with the aim of building small schools in developing countries.
Mission
Pencils of Promise believes every child should have access to quality education. They create schools, programs, and global communities around the common goal of education for all.[2] Pencils of Promise focuses on building strong structures and sustainable education programs by forming long-lasting, collaborative relationships with communities. Sites are picked taking into need, sustainability, cost efficiency, impact and commitment. The facilities are built with local labor and material. The charity also supports projects through ongoing education programs, curriculums, scholarships, sister programmes. Local staff are provided with professional development training to grow as professionals and take on leadership and mentor-ship roles. A majority of staff members are females and from the minorities.
Support
The charity is supported by a number of celebrities and most prominently by Scooter Braun, a well-known entertainment manager, and elder brother of the founder. Also involved from the first days of the organization is one of Scooter Braun's biggest acts, Justin Bieber[3] who has landed his voice as an international celebrity spokesman for the organization[4] by running ads for the charity and its campaign Schools4All[5][6] and promising to visit schools that donate the most funds to the organization.[7][8] Bieber takes part in the charity's fund-raising galas and donates parts of proceeds of his concerts and line of fragrances "Someday"[9] and various merchandising to the charity. DJ BLAU is also a major supporter of the charity.[10] With the proceeds from his remix "Back to New", 3LAU raised $25,000 for the charity and helped to build Justo Rufino Primary School in Guatemala. For his most recent tour 3LAU raised over $10,000 towards building a second school for the charity.[11]
References
- ↑ "The Conversation: 'Pencils of Promise'". ABC News. January 28, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
- ↑ Huffington Post: The New Nonprofit - Pencils of Promise
- ↑ Rachel Levine (November 18, 2011). "Pencils of Promise's Adam Braun Talks Justin Bieber: "He’s As Grounded As He’s Always Been"". OK! USA. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
- ↑ Shirley Halperin (July 28, 2011). "Adam Braun on Pencils of Promise and How Justin Bieber Is 'Making the World Better'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
- ↑ Schools4All official website
- ↑ Caroline Walker (April 15, 2011). "Justin Bieber wants (a) Schools for all (b) To visit you, or (c) Both?". MTV website. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
- ↑ 2011 promotional campaign by Adam Braun and Justin Bieber for "Pencils for Promise" on YouTube
- ↑ [2012 promotional campaign by Justin Bieber fro "Pencils for Promise"]
- ↑ Shirley Halperin (July 20, 2011). "Justin Bieber: 'With Time Off, I'm Able to Think, Pray and Grow Up'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
- ↑ "Inside Vanderbilt profile". December 3, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
- ↑ "CBS Local profile". December 3, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2013.