Stuart Weitzman’s Impact with Pencils of Promise
Pencils of Promise is thrilled that Stuart Weitzman is part of the PoP Family. The team at Stuart Weitzman recognizes the potential of quality learning and has made it their brand mission to support quality education in communities that are in need of everyday resources like safe school structures. Stuart Weitzman first joined the PoP Family in the spring of 2016, when the team created an exclusive yellow shoe, The Nearly Nude, to support the building of the first three Stuart Weitzman x Pencils of Promise schools. The successful collaboration was followed by the Gigi Boot initiative in October of 2016, helping make an additional three schools possible, and then continued for a third phase with the launch of the Gigi Mules. Through the Gigi Mules, Stuart Weitzman committed to build an additional three schools with PoP; one in Ghana, one in Guatemala and one in Laos.
With these nine total schools, your team continues to play an instrumental role in bringing quality education to thousands of students who need it most. Stuart Weitzman, our Pencils of Promise team is so grateful for all that you have provided to our students and partner communities. Your team’s generosity will impact thousands of students for generations to come and we thank you for partnering with us to unlock the potential of these children.
Impact Updates
Thanks to Stuart Weitzman’s support, PoP has been hard at work moving completing nine school builds! We are well on our way to serving thousands more students around the world.
An update from Tafi Atome, Ghana…
The 524 students in Tafi Atome previously attended class in unsafe conditions. The school’s old, provisional and weak structure was made of only mud. This structure was dangerous and posed a risk of collapsing. Through Stuart Weitzman’s incredible support, Tafi Atome’s new school broke ground in July 2018, and was officially completed in early 2019. The new structure will provide students a safe and secure learning environment, to thrive in class and beyond, for generations to come.
An update from Na Xiengdy, Laos…
Previously, the students of Na Xiengdy attended class in unsafe conditions. Due to overcrowding, first grade students learned in the community hall, with second grade students studying in a bamboo structure built by the community. Third grade students studied in the summer or after school hours, as no classroom was available to them during the school year. Thanks to your support, PoP and the Na Xiengdy community have officially completed a new five-unit classroom block! The community is so excited for their beautiful new school and the opportunity to learn in a positive environment.
An update from Línea A-11 Sector Icán, Guatemala…
Students in Línea A-11 Sector Icán previously learned in overcrowded classrooms. Fourth, fifth and sixth grade students shared a classroom that lacked light, and teachers were overwhelmed by the number of multigrade students in their classrooms. Through your support, PoP and the Línea A-11 Sector Icán community broke ground on a new school in September 2018! We completed construction on the new school in December 2018, with an inauguration ceremony shortly thereafter. The students of the Línea A-11 Sector Icán community are now able to attend class in a school that enables them to learn, grow and thrive.
An update from Adaklu Henakope, Ghana…
Students in Adaklu Henakope were previously learning in overcrowded classrooms in makeshift structures without formal windows or doors. Additionally, the school’s structure was unsound and its walls were deeply cracked. Thanks to your support, PoP and the Adaklu Henakope community completed construction on a new three-classroom block in May 2018. The 53 currently-enrolled students now learn and grow in a school that keeps them safe and engaged in class!
An update from Comunidad Samutz Sacrabinak, Guatemala…
Previously, the Comunidad Samutz Sacrabinak school had four brick classrooms, all of which were built by the community. The classrooms were very dark and lacked windows, the walls were cracking and the foundation was only 20 centimeters deep. The students also had access to only two latrines, both of which were in poor condition. Thanks to your support, PoP and the Comunidad Samutz Sacrabinak community completed construction on a new four-classroom school in July of 2017! Along with the four new classrooms, three new latrines were also built for hand-washing. The entire community is enthusiastic knowing that their students now have access to a higher-quality learning environment.
An update from Afatsagbleve, Ghana…
Previously, the third and fourth grade students of Afatsagbleve were sharing one classroom, while the kindergarten students were learning in the community chapel that was a poorly-built mud structure. These conditions did not promote student engagement and also threatened safety. Thanks to your support, PoP and the Afatsagbleve community completed construction on a new three-unit classroom block in January of 2017. The 208 current students are so excited to have a school that will help them grow and unlock their potential!
An update from Phon Xieng, Laos…
The Phon Xieng community previously had no classrooms for their students to learn in because the old structure was damaged by a storm in June of 2015. The teachers were using the local meeting hall as a space for school. This community meeting hall did not have enough space for the students, causing many of the students to travel far away to attend class in a different school. Thanks to your help, PoP and the Phon Xieng community completed construction on a new two-classroom school in April of 2016. This school is providing a quality learning environment for the 40 currently enrolled students of Phon Xieng.
An update from Sa Kuan, Laos…
Previously, the school in Sa Kuan was built by community members and made out of simple wood; the classrooms had dirt floors, no doors and leaking roofs. Aside from the safety hazards posed by the previous structure, there were also not enough classrooms for the amount of students attending school. Because of the limited amount of space, many students were forced to skip out on attending school. Thanks to your support, PoP and the Sa Kuan community completed construction on a new five-classroom school replacing the previous provisional structure in April of 2017. This school is providing a safe and quality learning environment for the 217 currently enrolled students of Sa Kuan.
An update from Comunidad Candelaria, Guatemala…
For several years, the Comunidad Candelaria school was a shed-like structure made out of metal sheets, with low roofs and dirt floors. This space was divided into five sections and was shared by students from all grades. Because of the overcrowding and geographic location of the community, this space became very hot for students and teachers. This led to classes being taught under trees to avoid the heat of the shared space. These conditions posed a hazard to student safety and engagement. Thanks to your support, PoP and the Comunidad Candelaria community completed construction on a new five-classroom school in September of 2016. Since completion, the 210 currently enrolled students from grades two through six now have access to an appropriate learning environment that has allowed them to learn comfortably and reach their full potential.
