Pens for Peace Project

Afghanistan "Pens for Peace" Project

As most of you know, we have significant military presence in Afghanistan.  The major fighting is over, there are continuous terror attacks and the largest fight is for the hearts and minds of the local people. We are winning that battle. Many refugees are returning and there is virtual population boom taking place. 

 

The Taliban banned all schools except the Madrasas (religious schools for boys), women were forbidden to go to school, work and teach.  Basically the society was driven back to the 14th century.  Following the removal of the Taliban, schools reopened, and life is beginning to return to something more normal.

 

Our military mission has changed, to assisting in redevelopment, drug interdiction and eradication and helping the local people re-start education programs, but there are great needs in the education system.  These are not the Madrasas (religious schools).  These schools are equal opportunity and you can see the large number of girls in the classrooms. Our contact there, stationed near Tora Bora, puts it this way.

 

"There are several schools here where kids are lucky if they have a building let alone school supplies. Kids constantly ask, not for candy, but for pens and notebooks for school. My mom did a pen and notebook drive last year and raised about 10,000 pens and dozens of notebooks for the kids here." Chris Corsten, US Military Advisor near Tora Bora, Afghanistan

 

Reno South Rotary is coordinating a very special project
to support both our troops in Afghanistan
and assist local Afghanistan School children with their education.

The Primary Mission

"Winning  friends with the local tribal leaders and the kids is our primary mission.  That means protecting the schools, teachers and local leaders.  The more we can do at this level the better the long term results." Chris Corsten, U.S. Military Advisor working for the State Department near Tora Bora, Afghanistan.

 

Don't feel you have to limit your generosity. There is a huge need and a willing force to fill that need. It truly sounds like "The Pen is Mightier than the Sword" in this case. Let's prove it!!  Join our "Pens for Peace" Program. Education overcomes ignorance and as you can see below the children of Afghanistan are starving for education, school supplies and a way into the modern world.  Please help us help them and help our troops at the same time.

"In my province of Nangarhar, there are about 500 schools, some have buildings and some don't. There is such a huge need that you really could not send too many. The 10,000 pens took care of about a dozen schools. We also used the pens to give to kids anywhere we stopped on a road or camp for the night." Chris Corsten, US Military Liaison near Tora Bora, Afghanistan

Handing Out Pens and Notebooks (note those waiting in the background)

  

 Help us Help the Kids and Support Our Troops Too!

Three ways to participate

Donate School Supplies or Personal Items to the Troops

School  Supplies	Personal Item the Troops
Ball Point Pens	Peppered Beef Jerky
Spiral Note Books: 6' x 9" preferred	Gatorade Powder Packets
Deflated Soccer Balls with Pumps and Needles	Travel Size Deodorant
Other School Supplies	Travel Size Sun Screen
	Chewing Gum
	CDs or DVD's

Major Donors to Pens for Peace

As of 6/30/2008

Major Donor	Items
Reno South Rotary	Shipping and Packing Expense
Venture Planning Associates, Inc.	$1000, school supplies and gifts
High Sierra Industries, Inc.	Shipping and packing services
Susanville Sunrise Rotary Club	Collection and Promotion: Contact:
Pulte Homes, Inc - Reno	5,000 pens
Reno High Soccer Club: City Wide	Soccer Balls, pumps and Needles
PTL Enterprises, LLC	6 cases Gatorade pluse shipping
Jack Filkey	$250
Armuth Asset Managment	$100 Shipping fees
Patty Beyers	$100
Pat and Rock Jarzynka	2,000 pens
Gold Dust West Casinos	Reno, Carson City and Elko
Alex Lepe	$250
Your Name Here	Please Give Generously
The pen is mightier than the sword	Help the kids learn that lesson early

When you make a financial donation, use the pull down box to select the amount below.

Packing and shipping is handled by High Sierra Industries, where LaVonne Brooks (a future Reno South Rotary President) will ship all the donated goods.  Physical donations should be dropped off or shipped to the following address for trans-shipment to Afghanistan. Read Press Coverage

Ship to:  High Sierra Industries, c/o Pens for Peace, 555 Reactor Way, Reno, NV  89530

Donate Money and Support the Afghanistan "Pens for Peace" Project Now
You may send a check to:
Reno South Rotary
Attn: Pens for Peace
P.O. Box 11511
Reno, Nevada 89510
or
Donate online via Credit Card or PayPal
Please Use the Pull Down Box to Select your Donation

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