Pens of Hope

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 I can’t remember when or how I first stumbled about this lady’s effort to help out the young school children of her hometown, but I knew from the get go that I wanted to help. What she described in her blog is something I have witnessed too – there really are kids who, even when they have no pencils to use or paper to write on, would still go to school because they so desire to learn. There are children who would launder their uniforms everyday after school because they only have one pair of blouse/polo and skirt/shorts that they could wear. And how many kids go to school barefoot because there’s just not enough money for slippers?

For sure, pencils will not solve their impoverished situation, but I agree that it will give the children another reason to hope and work for a better future.

How much does a pencil cost?  Surely less than ten pesos for the regular yellow ones (yes, I am referring to Mongols).  I intend to buy pencils (and a couple of sharpeners that the teachers can make available for the students) and send them over before the end of May.   I hope to get the boyfriend in on this project, and maybe encourage my team at work too.  I’ll ask mom and dad, my brother, and even all the kids here who take their own pencils for granted.  I won’t force anyone to donate with me but I don’t think it would be difficult to convince them to participate.  I mean seriously, how many pencils are the equivalent to the current costs of a pack of cigarettes? Or a can of coke?

The badge will take you to the Pens of Hope HQ so you can learn more about the project, it’s instigator (:)) and where you may send your donations to (all in kind).  And if you do decide to help, let me know too so I can thank you myself  🙂