In our country, sometimes, a penny doesn’t seem like very much. They hide out in the corners of our couches and no one ever wants to roll up pennies to take to the bank. But a penny holds power.
A penny buys a pencil in Afghanistan and Pakistan and empowers a child to read and write. Education can move mountains. Here are some of the things a penny -one single penny donated by you, added to all the other pennies people donate – can do in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
1 penny = one pencil
2 pennies = one eraser
15 pennies = one notebook
200 pennies = one teacher’s salary for one day
2000 pennies = one student’s school supplies for one year
This September 28th, Greg Mortenson, author of the book Three Cups of Tea will be visiting Alpena as part of the Authors in the Fall Series at the Alpena County Library. (Tickets are $10.00 and there are very few left so call soon if you think you want to come!) In honor of his visit we have decided to run a Pennies for Peace Campaign during the month of September. The pennies collected will benefit the Central Asia Institute whose goal is to build schools for children in remote areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Keep an eye out for this logo
around town and if you find an extra penny between the seats in your car, drop it in. You’ll be buying a pencil for an Afghan girl. You’ll be starting her on her path to education and a better life.
