Pencils of Hope

For years, the Israeli government has been terrorizing Palestinians and depriving them of every basic human right imaginable. The oppression has gotten worse in the past few days as Israeli forces attack the holy site of Al-Aqsa Mosque, where Palestinians were attending prayers in the month of Ramadan. Not only have there been multiple violent attacks against Palestinians, the Jerusalem District Court has forcefully demanded the removal of many Palestinian families from their... homes in Sheikh Jarrah, a neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem. These are just some events that have led many to mobilize and organize protests across the world in support of Palestinians and in an effort to bring awareness to the war crimes being carried out by Israel. In order to learn more about what is happening in Palestine, visit our Instagram page to view some resources. To show support and solidarity with Palestinians, there are two protests being held tomorrow in Regina and Saskatoon. More information about these events can be found on Facebook. **Both of these protests require attendees to stay in their cars and follow COVID-19 health guidelines** #pencilsofhope #savepalestine #freepalestine #savesheikhjarrah #solidarityrally #yqr #regina #yxe #saskatoon #justiceforpalestine #protest #bdsm #boycottisrael #letstalkaboutpalestine #boycottdivestmentsanctions #speakup #alaqsaunderattack

Most of Canada’s schools are funded by the province they are inexcept for schools on reserves. The federal government is responsible for funding First Nations schools to provide some control over their education. If schools on reserves were to be funded by the provincial government, this means giving up control over their education. This creates an unfair environment where children and teachers on reserves are not given an equal chance to grow and succeed. To read more about the underfunding of on-reserve schools, head over to https://www.cbc.ca//first-nations-schools-are-chronically-

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT Since our start up in 2015, we've been so fortunate with the opportunity to partner with some amazing businesses in our province. Sasktel has been supporting our initiative since day one, from providing us with our very first sponsor, to offering over 1000 pencils for students in need. Sasktel is committed to supporting non-profit organizations in Saskatchewan, and is also committed to improving the educational experience for youth in our province. Thank you for your continued support, Sasktel! Visit their website to learn more www.sasktel.com

We’re excited to share our first blog post with you, which can be found on our website now! The blog covers topics surrounding online education and tackles questions like: knowing that online learning is feasible, should schools make a push to have all courses online? Should they revert back to primarily in-person learning? Head over to our website to read Online Learning: Is It Working? and let us know if YOU think online learning is working in the comments! https://www.pencilsofhope.ca//online-learning-is-it-working

Are you a teacher, administrator, or staff member at a school that would benefit from funding for school supplies for the students? Pencils of Hope is a Saskatchewan-based not-for-profit initiative that provides school supplies to communities across the Province. Our application for the 2021-2022 school partnerships is now open and you can apply to have your school considered to receive support from Pencils of Hope. We will work together with your school staff to decide how best to assist your community. If you are interested in applying for your school, visit us at pencilsofhope.ca!

We’d like to introduce a new member of our team, Ammara Syeda! Ammara is our new Social Media Manager and her role consists of creating content for our Instagram and Facebook pages, engaging with our audience, and finding creative ways to maintain an online presence. Ammara is currently in her third year studying Interactive Systems Design at the University of Saskatchewan and is planning to pursue a degree in law after she graduates. Ammara has volunteered with a variety o...f organizations before, such as the Saskatchewan Elocution of Debate Association, 5 Days for The Homeless, the Muslim Youth Network and many more. Ammara has also had many opportunities to work with students first-hand in multiple summer camp programs. Many of these camps approached teaching with a holistic perspective, something she had not encountered before. Since then, Ammara has been passionate about promoting changes in the way that education is approached. Currently, she is working on a research project which focuses on challenging the K-12 system in place and providing a better alternative, for students and teachers. In her spare time, Ammara loves to learn new cuisines, improve her photography, and garden!

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT Sasktel Pioneers joined our sponsor family this past year. Sasktel Pioneers are a network of volunteers who effect immediate, tangible change in local communities. This year, Sasktel Pioneers graciously donated backpacks for our Student Project and helped provide school supply packages to students across our province! Check out their website for more information http://www.sasktelpioneers.com/wordpress/... #saskatchewan #crowdfunding #foundation#nonprofit#notforprofit #goodvibes#dogood#globalchange #activism#youth#community #volunteer#localbusiness #communitywork#helpingothers#givingback #yxe #yxelocal #saskatoon #yqr #regina #donate #gofundme #gofundmedonations #donatetoday #supportlocal #partnership #sponsor #sasktel #sasktelpioneers

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT Another organization that has supported us for many years is Regina Public Interest Research Group! "The Regina Public Interest Research Group (RPIRG) is a student-run, student-funded non-profit organization dedicated to community-based research, education, action and awareness in the public interest." ... RPIRG has generously sponsored our organization various times throughout the years we've been operated, and have helped us support over 10,000 students in our province! Head over to their website to learn more www.rpirg.org/ See more

Laptops For Kids is still collecting laptops! If you have a laptop at home, please consider donating to help support students in our province!

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT Since our start up in 2015, we've been so fortunate with the opportunity to partner with some amazing businesses in our province. @sasktel has been supporting our initiative since day one, from providing us with our very first sponsor, to offering over 1000 pencils for students in need. Sasktel is committed to supportng non-profit organizations in Saskatchewan, and is also committed to improving the educational experience for youth in our province. ... Thank you for your continued support, Sasktel! Visit their website to learn more www.sasktel.com See more

Today is #worldteachersday and we’re taking some time out of our day to thank and appreciate all of the teachers that work so tirelessly to support their students! Teachers - thank YOU for all that you do I’m not only supporting our students academically, but also as their own personal coach, mentor, nurse, nutritionist, and all the many roles you play during the day. You are essential to our community and we thank you for your dedication! To thank our wonderful teachers, ...we are giving away a @dessartsweets gift card! Tag a deserving teacher in the comments below Contest open to teachers in Saskatchewan only. Contest closes Friday, October 9th at 4 pm CST. This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by Facebook or Instagram

Please share to help Kelliher School, one of our partner schools from this previous year, get a community garden!