- Introduction
- Our Story
- Our Team
- Our Sponsors
- Our Media
- Our Partners
It all began in the fall of 2005 when Canadian Athletes participated in the “The Games of La Francophonie” in Niger, Africa. During the Games some of the athletes, including one of the photographers for the Canadian Team, Donovan Gaudette, went to visit a school in Libore, a rural area outside Niamey, Niger’s capital, which is considered the poorest country in the world. 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. They were received so warmly by the community as they gave out school supplies they brought with them from Canada.
Fast forward a few weeks. Dan Galbraith another photographer for the Canadian Team, returned to Toronto, but found day to day life hard to manage after the poverty he witnessed in Niger. It was at this time that Robin Mednick called Dan about their upcoming trip to the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Robin sensed something was not right as Dan sounded distraught and barely audible. He explained that he could not get the images of the children in Niger out of his mind. His pain was so tangible it reached out to Robin on the phone and she instinctively said, “Dan, let’s not talk about it, let’s do something”!
And so began the journey. Molly Killingbeck enthusiastically committed to the cause without even knowing what it would entail, Michael Williams Manager of the local Office Depot said ‘this year it was not going to be about me, I want to join your team”! and so too was the heartfelt response of Ian Chalmers of Pivot Design who offered not only to donate his services to create the website, but to join the Pencils for Kids team as well. Carolyn Taylor who had extensive experience in the not for profit world welcomed the opportunity to help in any way possible and David Crombie a respected friend, became the Honorary Chair of the Advisory Board for Pencils for Kids.
Robin contacted the Canadian Embassy in Niger who put her in touch with Amadou Madougou, Mayor of Libore, a commune with 23 schools outside of Niamey. 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.
The next step was to connect the students from Canada to the students in Libore. Three teachers and classes at the Dewson St. Junior School’s French Immersion Programme were introduced to the concept of pen-paling with Niger through Robyn Crombie, Co Chair of their School Council. Three keen teachers, Joanne Jenkins, Chantal Hilaire, and Alexandra Stevenson in three different grades began a pen pal relationship with three separate schools in Libore and in the process learned so much about each other's culture and lifestyle. With enthusiasm, determination and passion, the grade six class raised over $600 in less than a week by running a lemonade stand and bake sale.
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.
The first Pencils for Kids school will be built in the village of Oulmantama (link to photos of new school and village) where children have never before had access to education. The official opening of the school is in November, 2007.
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.
Our vision is simple. Through education all things become possible. Every child in the world deserves the opportunity to dream, to imagine to learn and to achieve.
This journey to connect community to community is just beginning and “pencils” will always be the symbol of communication, literacy and hope.
In the words of Mother Teresa, "We are all pencils in the hands of God".
A member of many community organizations, he is Chair of Ontario Place Corporation, the Founding Chair of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust and President of David Crombie & Associates Inc. He also serves as Chair of the Advisory Council for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO). David Crombie has been appointed as an Officer to the Order of Canada.
Molly enjoys spending time with her family; she uses her sport experiences to make a positive contribution in local communities and takes the time to promote health and wellness. She believes sport and physical activity contribute to one’s health is a life-long commitment.
Killingbeck is actively involved in numerous committees on a local and national scale, and is a supporter of charities focusing on youth and physical fitness.
Michael has a Masters in Human Resources from which he meticulously plans, develops, and inspires confidence among those around him. Michael is a Manager for Office Depot of Canada.
Ian’s operating principle champions methods and processes that embrace the human element. This translates directly into the success of the project, but more importantly, it impacts positively on the well being of business or organization.
Over the years, Ian’s philanthropic desire has found him lending his design hands and experience to a number of community organizations, such as SickKids Foundation, The James Fund and now very passionately involved with Pencils for Kids. When not at work, Ian can be found at home with his three children, changing diapers and light bulbs.
