Why PoP works at the Local Level
Written by: Adam Braun May 12th, 2010
By Adam Braun
Founder, Executive Director
5 years ago I started backpacking across the globe, and the seeds for what would one day become Pencils of Promise were sown. They came in the form of questions, most specifically What do you want most? I’ve asked this question to hundreds of local people across six continents, and by far the most consistent answer has always been, Education for our children.
In the poorest of villages, this came with an additional caveat- Do not help us by giving money to the government. There is too much corruption, too many problems. Work with us directly in our community, we will make sure the support goes to our children.
This was a key principle in founding Pencils of Promise: We work at the local level, forming relationships with community leaders and Education Ministry officials that are directly tied to the well-being of the children their positions are intended to serve. They will be held accountable to us and, most importantly, to each other. There is no hiding behind bureaucratic titles for those tied closest to each village. These are the people we choose to work alongside.
PoP is not driven to achieve recognition of any kind in countries of impact. We don’t care about framed pictures hanging on the walls of government offices or ribbon-cutting ceremonies. We care about results, about providing children with opportunities to pursue a strong education and helping them flourish. Contrary to popular opinion, we believe that this starts not from the top-down, but from the bottom-up.
As we continue to grow our footprint, this just means that there will be more treks to meet with phenomenal local leaders who are deeply committed to empowering their local communities.
Give me a motorbike and a meeting with a village chief, that sounds like the start of something special.
Tags: Adam Braun, community engagement, education, impact, Leslie Engle
