In a January, 2008 thank you note from Douglas Rhodenbaugh, our executive director, he wrote: Thanks everyone for your support of our Service Learning Project. In the last twelve years, we have provided new and used school supplies to literally hundreds of thousands of poor Guatemalan children.
The Pencils for Guatemala drive is an effort that my students look forward to every year, and many return year after year to participate. I personally deliver the school supplies to individual villages during the Christmas Holidays, just before the school year begins in January.
For many children, not having supplies on the first day means losing a year of school and working in the coffee fields with their parents. This year, with the help of a Non-Profit Organization, (www.thepencilproject.org), and Mexicana Airlines, we were able to get over 850 pounds of your donated school supplies on the airplane, and eventually to very remote mountain villages. Needless to say, many loving hands, and arms, and shoulders helped in distribution on the Guatemalan side, and send their thanks.
We continue to collect supplies, backpacks, used clothes, shoes, and small toys year-round, and expect to deliver our first large sea container in July! What began as a thoughtful gesture in my classroom has truly turned into a large and lasting endeavor. Your contribution to these projects is appreciated, and will promote not only a very deserving group of Guatemalan children, but also help the cultural and social education of children in Austin as they learn to share and care about others.
Thank you again for your continued generosity and support,