For Rob Hamwee, supporting global education is rooted in both purpose and personal connection.

Rob first learned about Pencils of Promise through a friend of a family member who knew founder Adam Braun. At the time, Rob and his family were searching for meaningful ways to contribute to a challenge that affects millions of children worldwide: the need to expand access to basic literacy in underserved communities.

The mission resonated deeply.

Rob’s father was born and raised in Guatemala, giving his family a personal connection to the country and a deeper understanding of how education can shape opportunity across generations.

What particularly impressed Rob was the organization’s ability to translate resources into meaningful results.

PoP’s model focuses not only on building schools but on working alongside communities and governments to create sustainable education systems. For Rob, this approach demonstrates an exceptional level of effectiveness in ensuring that support leads to real change.

“Basic literacy and numeracy are table stakes for accessing the global economy and having an opportunity to flourish,” Rob says.

That belief was reinforced when Rob and his family traveled to Guatemala and saw the work firsthand. Visiting communities and witnessing classrooms filled with eager students made the impact tangible.

Seeing children learning, teachers guiding lessons and families taking pride in their schools offered a powerful reminder of what access to education can unlock.

Moments like these highlight why investing in education matters.

Across the world, millions of children still face barriers to learning. But when communities gain access to quality education, the effects extend far beyond a classroom. Literacy strengthens families, supports local economies and creates pathways for children to shape their own futures.

For Rob, Pencils of Promise represents a powerful way to contribute to that change.

Pencils of Promise is reaching hundreds of thousands of students around the world, providing access to education that can change the course of a child’s life.

And for Rob, that makes supporting education one of the most meaningful investments anyone can make.