www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/4636887.Appeal_to_schools_to_support__project_pencil_case_ Wotton woman’s appeal to schools to support ‘project pencil case’ SEPT 2009
“As children around the county returned to school this month, the sight of pens and pencils left lying around has become all too common in the homes of Gloucestershire.
In Ethiopia, however, if a pen or pencil goes missing it cannot be as easily replaced.
Arabella Stewart, from Wotton, is hoping that she can redress the balance with ‘project pencil case’.
Arabella spent her childhood in Ethiopia, where her parents were broadcast journalists, before the family returned to the UK in the mid-1970s.
“I now divide my time between the UK and Ethopia, where I teach English in Addis Ababa,” said Arabella.
“The inspiration for Project Pencil Case came to me last year when my teenage son Matthew presented me with numerous pens and pencils he had never used while clearing his room.
“I then purchased inexpensive plastic pencil cases, filled them up and during the course of three trips in 2008/09, I distributed them at random on the streets of Addis.
“To see a child’s face light up with a smile is reward enough but for these kids to have their own pencil case, which is both useful and positive, is the real satisfaction.”
Primary schools around the area have been happy to help Arabella with the cause, and Blue Coat Primary School in Wotton was the first school in the area to start collecting pencil cases and stationery last spring.
“It seems to be a cause that the children can really associate with,” said Arabella.
“And now word has spread and Hillesley School will be linking with Project Pencil Case during their Harvest Festival on October 1.
“I would like to suggest and encourage other local schools or local groups to do the same thing.
“A simple plastic box or bin can be kept in the school hall where people can deposit items. Items can then be collected from your school and taken back to Addis Ababa after Christmas.”
Arabella has also introduced a PayPal button to her website, so that those who would like to help can donate cash for items to be bought in Addis, avoiding transportation costs.”
Project Pencil Case – Anglo–Ethiopian Society Website
WINTER 2009
Project Pencil Case
Author – Arabella Stewart
Project Pencil Case “Supporting Ethiopian Students” is a personal initiative. I spent my childhood in Ethiopia from 1963 until 1974 as the daughter of broadcast journalists and went back as a volunteer teacher earlier this year. My love and attachment to Ethiopia was immediately rekindled when I returned as an adult.
| Photo © Arabella Stewart – Project Pencil Case |
Project Pencil Case came to life in 2008 when my teenage son presented me with numerous pens and pencils he had never used while clearing his room. I decided to purchase inexpensive plastic pencil cases, fill them up and during the course of three trips in 2008 and 2009, I distributed them at random to children on the streets of Addis.
In 2009 the local primary school in my town (Bluecoat Primary School in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire) became involved generously donating pencil case supplies and I was able to hand deliver over 50 pencil cases to needy kids in Addis Ababa.
Initially inspired by the experience I had as a volunteer teacher for a vocational school in Addis Ababa, I quickly became aware of how dedicated but impoverished many schools and students in Ethiopia are. The teaching experience for me was a wonderful and enriching time but supplies were extremely limited and absolutely nothing was taken for granted. I used a tiny chip of chalk and a board eraser which had only a thin layer of felt left.
I was constantly impressed that every child I met fortunate enough to attend school values education – whether at a free government school or small private school. As I walked along the colourful and vibrant streets of Addis and encountered these children (half of the population of Ethiopia is currently under age 21), most were keen to practice their English and told me with pride which grade they were in or how much they liked school.
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| Photo © Arabella Stewart – Project Pencil Case |
Each encounter with a child is special and encourages me to want to help even on the smallest scale. To see a child’s face light up with a smile is reward enough but for these kids to have their own pencil case which is both useful and positive is the real satisfaction.
Project Pencil Case also has goals to link schools in the UK with schools in Addis Ababa in other ways including schemes to Adopt a School, Class or Student – full details can be found on the website or by contacting me by phone. If you know about a school, group or individual that might be interested in donating or collecting supplies, please get in touch.
Website: www.projectpencilcase.org
WOTTON UNDER EDGE TOWN DIRECTORY DECEMBER 2009
In the new year The British School community will be helping to assist the children of Ethiopia.Project Pencil Case “Supporting Ethiopian Students” is a personal initiative of Arabella Stewart, resident of Parklands, Wotton-under-Edge.“I spent my childhood in Ethiopia from 1963 until 1974 as the daughter of broadcast journalists and went back as a volunteer teacher earlier this year. My love and attachment to Ethiopia was immediately rekindled when I returned as an adult.”Project Pencil Case came to life in 2008 when Arabella’s teenage son presented her with numerous unused pens and pencils while clearing his room. Arabella decided to buy inexpensive plastic pencil cases, fill them and during the course of three trips in 2008/09, she distributed them at random to children on the streets of Addis.In 2009 Bluecoat Primary School in Wotton-under-Edge became involved generously donating Pencil Case supplies and Arabella was able to distribute over 50 pencil cases to needy children in Addis Ababa.Initially inspired by the experience that she had as a volunteer teacher for a vocational school in Addis Ababa, Arabella quickly became aware of how dedicated but impoverished many schools and students in Ethiopia are. The teaching experience for her was a wonderful and enriching time but supplies were extremely limited and absolutely nothing was taken for granted.“I was constantly impressed that every child I met fortunate enough to attend school values education – whether at a free government school or small private school. As I walked along the colourful and vibrant streets of Addis and encountered these children (half of the population of Ethiopia is currently under age 21), most children were keen to practice their English and told me with pride which grade they were in or how much they liked school. Each encounter with a child is special and encourages me to want to help even on the smallest scale. To see a child’s face light up with a smile is reward enough but for these kids to have their own pencil case which is both useful and positive is the real satisfaction.”Project Pencil Case also has goals to link schools in the UK with schools in Addis Ababa in other ways including schemes to Adopt a School, Class or Student – full details can be found on the website. Arabella is in Ethiopia until December, however her extraordinary help can be followed on the Project pencil case website.www.projectpencilcase.org. She will be in the Uk for the beginning of the new year when she will visit The British school who have kindly agreed to participate in fund-raising for this worthwhile cause.
http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/news/8846570.Fundraiser_makes_pencil_case_plea/Wimbledon fundraiser makes pencil case plea FEBRUARY 2011
PROJECT PENCIL CASE 