Marie’s Impact with Pencils of Promise
Pencils of Promise couldn’t be more thrilled that Marie Forleo is part of our PoP Family. A devoted, intelligent and dedicated entrepreneur and philanthropist, Marie recognizes the potential of quality learning and has made it her personal mission to support education in communities that are in need of everyday resources like safe school structures.
Marie committed herself to our mission by joining the Advisory Board in 2014. Shortly after joining our PoP Family, Marie helped fund the construction and completion of five pre and primary schools, with the promise of three more in the future!
Marie, our Pencils of Promise team is so grateful for all that you have provided to our students and communities. Your generosity will impact thousands of students and we thank you for partnering with us to make quality education possible for students who need it most.
Impact Update
An update from Cantón San Miguelito, Guatemala…
Completed September 2018
Previously, the students of Cantón San Miguelito were learning in classrooms shared by more than one grade. Having multiple grades learning in each classroom caused overcrowding, as well as significant learning distractions. These classrooms were built entirely—and previously funded by—the community and teachers. Thanks to Marie’s support, PoP and the Cantón San Miguelito community officially completed a new two-classroom school in September 2018. The 121 students currently enrolled in this school are so excited to now attend class in a structure that supports their full potential and promise.
An update from Hat Mad, Laos…
Completed February 2013
Previously, the Hat Mad Preschool and Primary School was in very poor condition. There used to be one existing two-classroom school that housed preschool through fifth grade students inside a structure that was unsafe for students. The walls between the classrooms were falling apart, and the roof was in disrepair. This structure not only made for an unsafe environment, but also hindered student engagement during lessons. Thanks to Marie’s support, construction on the new two-classroom school was completed in March of 2013 and continues to impact hundreds of students.
An update from Don Toum, Laos…
Completed October 2014
Prior to PoP’s partnership with Marie, the primary students of Don Toum Preschool and Primary School were learning in a provisional classroom made of bamboo walls and a thatched roof. Along with the unsafe conditions, the previous preschool classroom was far too small to fit all of the students, causing overcrowding and a distracting learning environment. Construction on the new school started in June of 2014 and was completed in October of that same year. Marie’s support helped PoP and the community of Don Toum build a new three-classroom school that is providing a great learning environment for all students. Currently, this school is serving 169 students and is expected to serve hundreds throughout its lifetime.
An update from Xemamatze, Guatemala…
Completed February 2014
Previously, the students of the Xemamatze Preschool and Primary School were attending classes in a seven-section provisional structure. Four of the provisional classrooms were constructed of wooden planks and metal sheeting, and were built on unstable wooden stilts. Community members feared for their children’s safety as they were afraid the classrooms could collapse at any time. Marie’s support helped to build a beautiful new three-classroom school that enables the students to reach their full potential by learning in formal classrooms. This school has been serving students since February 2014 and is set to impact thousands of students throughout its lifetime.
An update from New Baika, Ghana…
Completed May 2014
Previously, the students of the New Baika Preschool and Primary school were attending classes in an old, dilapidated, mud-classroom block. The roof of the structure used for grades four through six had blown off and had not been repaired. Because of this roof, those students were using the first through third grade classrooms, causing overcrowding and an unsafe learning environment. Thanks to Marie’s support, the New Baika community welcomed a brand new three-classroom school, with a computer room, library and sanitation facilities, in June 2014. This school is set to impact hundreds of students throughout its lifetime.
An update from Canton Maza, Guatemala…
Completed November 2014
Previously, the students of Canton Maza Preschool and Primary School were attending classes in a third floor provisional classroom without any walls, underneath a laminated roof. The other section of this school had a classroom in a space that was originally constructed to be a bodega. These structures provided little light and not enough space, both which contributed to a very poor learning environment. A brand new three-classroom school was completed in January 2015 and has provided formal classrooms to thousands of students thus far.
An update from Sa, Laos…
Completed April 2016
Previously, the students of Sa Preschool and Primary School had no classrooms for the high volume of students trying to attend school. Because of this, students were attending school in a meeting room that was also used for community meetings, which meant students could not attend school when one of these meetings were held. With Marie’s help, PoP and the Sa community completed construction on a brand new three-classroom school in March 2016. The hundreds of students impacted by this new school now have the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe and effective learning environment.