Thank You, The Carters!

You’re Making a Difference Here

WHY GHANA?

Ghana was, until very recently, one of the poorest countries in the world. Over the past few years, the nation has experienced unprecedented growth and development _{(IFAD report; African Development Bank)}. Although the lives of Ghanaians have improved greatly, the country still faces many challenges, especially in the education sector.

In Ghana, 18% of primary school age children are not enrolled in school and of those who are in school, 28% will drop out before completing primary school _{(UNESCO, 2012)}. Additionally, over 28% of the Ghanaian population is illiterate and out of all the current primary school classrooms, the government estimates that almost a quarter need repairs _{(World Bank, 2014; USAID, 2009)}.

PoP works with 142 communities in Ghana to ensure that students overcome these and other barriers to accessing a quality education. Currently, PoP is impacting over 35,000 students in Ghana.

WHY GUATEMALA?

In Guatemala, where over 50% of the population lives below the poverty line, socioeconomic status is one of the biggest barriers to accessing a quality education _{(World Bank 2013)}. The average length of schooling for a Guatemalan child is only four years and 24.1% of the population is illiterate _{(US Aid 2014; World Bank 2014)}.

Pencils of Promise works with 190 communities in Guatemala to ensure our students overcome these, and other, barriers to accessing a quality education. Currently, PoP is impacting over 37,000 students in Guatemala.

WHY LAOS?

In Laos, one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia, a lack of educational infrastructure is one of the greatest barriers to accessing a quality education _{(BBC News Asia)}. 27% of people in Laos are illiterate, with even higher illiteracy rates amongst ethnic minorities _{(World Bank 2014)}.

Pencils of Promise works with 113 communities in Laos to ensure that our students overcome these, and other, barriers to accessing a quality education. Currently, PoP is impacting over 14,000 students in Laos.

Jim Carter’s Impact on Quality Education

When Jim Carter first joined the PoP Family in 2014, he immediately made a huge impact. A curious and dedicated individual, Jim’s support has been integral to PoP’s growth over the years. As a member of the GRAPHITE: Creative Council, Jim has helped PoP reach new heights. From helping us receive our first bitcoin donation online, leading to our biggest holiday campaign yet, to leading the charge on building our first-ever gala auction technology for our most successful gala to date, we’re so grateful and honored that Jim is a part of the PoP Family.

Jim, thanks to your generous support, Pencils of Promise is able to provide quality education to thousands of students. This means these students will not only have access to a safe school structure, but also inspired teachers, literacy materials, PoP’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene program, and clean water and private bathrooms.

By investing in Pencils of Promise’s educational programs, you’re helping ensure students have access to everything they need to receive a quality education.

Learn more about the programs you’re supporting:

Teacher Support

We stand behind the rationale that students will perform better if classrooms are led by enthusiastic, inspired and well-trained teachers. To ensure that our students are receiving a high-quality education, we provide our teachers with training and innovative resources, enhancing the delivery of national curriculum and empowering them to lead dynamic and effective lessons.

School Builds

85% of the communities we visit lack basic infrastructure. We believe that a quality learning environment is critical to increasing student attendance, engagement and overall literacy outcomes—so we build schools to ensure that all of our students have access to a safe and healthy place to learn.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programs (WASH)

443 million school days are lost each year because of water-and sanitation-related diseases (UNDP). We believe that access to clean water, private bathrooms and good hygiene practices are essential for the growth and development of students. Our WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) program provides safe, clean infrastructure, coupled with knowledge on hygiene behavior to keep kids healthy, happy and in school.

From the start, we’ve believed a PoP school should be more than just a building: it’s the start of a transformative education. It’s a spark that creates a sustainable partnership with communities and unlocks the promise of generations to come. By investing in these programs, you are ensuring PoP students are progressing in their education, and we’ve got the results to prove it. You are joining us as we build hope, joy, community and a brighter future!

Thank you, Jim.

PoP 2018 Impact Highlights

2018 was a groundbreaking year — we expanded PoP’s Teacher Support and e-reader programs to 38 additional schools, launched Teacher Support in an additional grade level in 60 schools in Laos, upgraded 30 WASH schools in Laos and added 61 global WASH Projects. At the beginning of 2018, Jim secured a $250,000 gift from The Pineapple Fund– this gift has helped PoP make all of this possible! Thanks to the Carter’s incredible support, we are well on our way to impacting nearly 100,000 students around the world.

Your Impact In Action

Below, meet a PoP student who is benefitting from the programs you’re helping make possible!

Muir – Student, 3rd grade Pha Tonglom, Laos Muir is a 3rd-grade student at Thong Kang Primary School, a school with WASH programming, located in the Pha Tonglom community, in Laos. She wants to be a teacher when she grows up, and teach in her village. Through PoP’s WASH Program, Muir gets to learn about hygiene, water and sanitation. You’re helping bring PoP’s WASH programs to communities like this one, and helping students like Muir become leaders in their classrooms – thank you!