PoP’s Top 2011 Moments
Written by: Team PoP January 6th, 2012It has been an amazing year for Pencils of Promise! We have completed 40 schools and we have more on the way. At the onset of this promising new year, we wanted to take some time to reflect on just five of the many unforgettable moments we’ve had throughout 2011!
1. Through the Schools 4 All Campaign, we raised over $250,000 which translated to 14 new schools! We were amazed by the efforts of our supporters who spread the word about this campaign and helped to make #Schools4All a trending topic on Twitter!
2. This May, PoP built our first school in Guatemala! After Hurricane Stan destroyed their original home in Panajachel, the community of Xecotoj worked towards restoration by partnering with PoP and building a school for their children.
3. In honor of Global Handwashing Day on October 15, the PoP Laos Team presented the Xongja community with Tippy Taps! Made only of recycled and found materials, the Tippy Taps require the use of a foot lever to avoid the spreading of germs. This was a creative, economical, and highly efficient way of implementing the importance of health and sanitation!
4. On November 17, the first ever Pencils of Promise Gala was held! We recognized three honorees — Justin Bieber, Scott (Scooter) Braun, and AgencyNet – who have all contributed greatly to the PoP Movement. This was also the first time PoP Laos Country Coordinator, Lanoy Keosuvan, visited the United States! Her lifelong dream was to meet her idol, Shaquille O’Neal, and guess what! Not only were we able to raise a million dollars, but we were also able to make Lanoy’s dream come true!
5. Towards the closing of 2011, we had our first announced donor trip to Laos. The donors spent a week in Laos to experience Laotian culture and visit schools on site!
We can’t begin to express our gratitude and appreciation for all of the support we’ve received in these past three years. We’re dreaming big and are excited about our goal of 100 completed schools by the end of 2012!
Tags: a pencil transforms, Building schools in Guatemala, Events, From the Field, Gala, Schools 4 All, The PoP Movement, Tippy Taps
