http://www.pencilsofpromise.org/blog Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:25:26 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en It seems fitting that today, International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the progress and achievements of females worldwide, you meet Noy. Noy is a little bit of everything. She is an athlete, a cook and a mechanic. She’s the Pencils of Promise Laos Country Coordinator, a fearless advocate of education ... http://www.pencilsofpromise.org/blog/2010/03/in-honor-of-women-everywhere/ It's hot out and we're lurking in the shade. We talk to each other in mixes of Lao, English, motions and laughter, understanding little and smiling much. The kids of Pha Theung are out of school for the day, free to play just a while before going home to prepare meals, ... http://www.pencilsofpromise.org/blog/2010/02/chicken-chicken-rooster/ Looking for a gift for your Valentine this year?  Now through Valentine's Day, a portion of every 1-800 Flowers Justin Bieber bouquet sold will go to help support the Pencils of Promise movement. Click here to give some love and some good this Valentine's Day. http://www.pencilsofpromise.org/blog/2010/02/buy-a-bouquet-help-build-schools/ When you first see Kua, she’s at the blackboard, the teacher admiring her work. She’s sporting a baseball cap and t-shirt with her school skirt and is undoubtedly smiling. When they break for lunch, her classmates fall into a familiar stride behind their friend and leader. Kua knows everybody in Pha ... http://www.pencilsofpromise.org/blog/2010/01/meet-kua/ It's simple, PoP believes in empowering everyone to participate in the creation of good. EVERYONE. This week, we're making it happen. How? If we win the $1MM grand prize in the Chase Giving competition on Facebook this week, we will dedicate at least $100,000 towards projects to support youth in Haiti, ... http://www.pencilsofpromise.org/blog/2010/01/haiti-support-justin-bieber-vip-tiks-free-flights-and-the-popmovement/ We'd like you to meet Jai. He's four years old, and he loves him some drawing. And writing. And coloring. Jai is one of our first students. But he's about to become one of many. You've been asking "How can I help?" It's simple. Join the movement we're about to create. // ... http://www.pencilsofpromise.org/blog/2009/12/the-start-of-the-1m-movement/ [gallery] "This night is really about a growing movement of young people coming together as volunteers to demonstrate that through passion and commitment you can make big things happen" said founder Adam Braun. "We just won $25,000 on Facebook because each of you clicked a button. There isn't a single other nonprofit ... http://www.pencilsofpromise.org/blog/2009/12/the-pop-masquerade-fundraiser/ Pencils of Promise is built around the core idea that a generation empowered can change the world - both abroad where we build schools and here in the United States. Our goal is to not only to build schools, but to also empower young people to realize their full potential ... http://www.pencilsofpromise.org/blog/2009/12/chase-community-giving/ [gallery] Across the river, up the hill, and I reach for Noy’s arm. We are at the only high school option in Champet, the province's poorest district just off the Mekong river in Laos. Hundreds of kids are huddled in masses ... http://www.pencilsofpromise.org/blog/2009/12/the-champhet-girls-dormitory-library-project/ I look at Adam, sitting cross-legged next to me. “I’ll eat your face if you drink my lao lao.” He looks down at the boiled chicken head in his hands. “Deal.” We are in Phayong village, the site of our second and third schools, celebrating their completion. To show their thanks, the ... http://www.pencilsofpromise.org/blog/2009/12/to-good-luck-good-health/