Pencils for kids
One pencil at a time
In 2005 a group of Canadian athletes were visiting Niger, considered the poorest country on earth. When some of the athletes went to visit a school in rural Libore, what they saw shocked them. Thirty children in one classroom were sharing ONE pencil. There were few books and fewer supplies, no electricity and no running water.
Dan Galbraith, a photographer for the Canadian Team, returned home but could not get the images of the children in Niger out of his mind. When his friend Robin Mednick spoke to him shortly after his return, his pain was so tangible. Robin reacted instinctively, saying, "Dan, let's not talk about it, let's do something"!
Robin contacted the Canadian Embassy in Niger who put her in touch with the Mayor of Libore. With the community's "wish list" in hand the team began collecting school supplies that were so desperately needed. Shortly after Office Depot, BIC Inc. and DHL Express (Canada), Ltd. stepped up to the plate and donated over 1000 pounds of school supplies and free shipping. These sponsors came forward on faith and put their trust in individuals they had never met before, but they sensed the urgency and understood the reason. - Truly extraordinary giving.
After visiting Libore in May 2007, the relationship between Pencils for Kids and the community was forever forged. The Mayor and his team were introduced to the staff at the local Canadian Consulate and after a proposal was submitted, funds were granted to build a school in partnership with a local NGO Thiebon.
That is how Pencils for Kids was born. One community at a time, one child at a time, one book at a time and . . . one pencil at a time.
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