2014 Spotlight on Education

PaperSeed Foundation22 Pelican WaySan Rafael, CA 94901, USAinfo@paperseed.org

Greetings from PaperSeed!What an exciting year 2014 has been for the PaperSeed Foundation! As you read on,

you’ll see and hear about a few of the vital projects we supported in 2014, projects that bring

the power of education to underserved children around the world: a summer camp for kids

with cancer in Connecticut, education reform in India, a new preschool building in Kenya,

and school supplies for children in California. As we reflect on these accomplishments, we

continue to keep the 58 million out-of-school children around the world in our hearts and

minds. We will continue seeking out projects that strengthen educational opportunities for

these children, so they can grow into empowered global citizens.

Scaling our reach with help from our partners across the globe was another focus of

our work in 2014. We are grateful for our partnership with Hawkins Wright in Shanghai for

support of our work in China, and for the great support by so many at our June fundraiser

in Stamford, Connecticut.

We are also thrilled to have our work recognized. Social Enterprise: An Evidence-based

Approach to Creating Social Value, a book by Chao Gu and Wolfgang Bielefeld, featured

our innovative partnership with corporate sponsor CellMark and our commitment to allevi-

ating poverty through education.

PaperSeed is greater than the sum of its parts due in large part to our incredible network of

volunteers who work tirelessly in support of our mission. We really couldn’t do it without you!

On behalf of all of us at PaperSeed, I wish you a prosperous new year!

Aliyya Shelley Mattos, Executive Director

Camp Rising Sun, USASummer Recreation for Kids with CancerCanoeing around the lake, performing skits by the campfire, learning to fish, making new

friends… this is summer camp for millions of kids in the US. But for kids with cancer, a

day of chemotherapy is more common than an afternoon of hiking in the woods. A cancer

diagnosis means putting aside many of the pleasures of childhood in order to focus on

treatment. That’s why Camp Rising Sun was formed, to give children diagnosed with cancer

an opportunity to experience the joys of summer camp. Situated on the shores of beautiful

Lake Jewell in rural Connecticut, Camp Rising Sun provides a safe, nurturing summer ex-

perience for children ages 5 to 17, at no cost to their families. In addition to counselors, the

camp is also staffed by a pediatric oncologist and three nurses to ensure the medical needs

of each child are met. PaperSeed Foundation supported Camp Rising Sun in 2014 through

the funding of art supplies, science kits, and medical supplies.

STIR Education, IndiaTeachers as ChangemakersAcross India, children are victims of a global learning crisis. They arrive at school ready

to learn, only to find that their teachers are absent or underprepared. On any given day,

twenty-five percent of India’s nearly 8 million teachers are absent from the classroom. The

impact on students is devastating: over half of Indian fifth graders are performing well below

grade level. STIR Education is working hard to address this challenge from the ground

up. The organization is building a movement of teacher changemakers, who will develop

innovative micro-solutions, implement effective practices, and influence peers and policy

makers. In 2014, PaperSeed provided micro-grants and mentoring that will allow STIR-sup-

ported teacher innovators to scale their solutions.

The Kilgoris Project, KenyaA Home for the Nentekeny PreschoolThe children of the Maasai tribe in the Kilgoris region of Kenya don’t take school for granted.

Their community is under-resourced, and lacking adequate government representation and

access to even basic services like sanitation, healthcare, and education. And beyond the Kilgoris

region, Kenya at large, has no government sponsored preschools or kindergarten programs.

In response to this need, a group of Kilgoris parents formed the Nentekeny Preschool, which

began by serving 75 students with two teachers in outdoor classrooms. By 2013, the school

population had ballooned to more than 300 students. This year PaperSeed partnered with The

Kilgoris Project to construct a school building. PaperSeed funding will provide four furnished

preschool classrooms, a kitchen, water tank, gutter system, and six latrines.

Fairfax-San Anselmo Children’s Center, USASchool Supplies for Children in Need

For many kids in the US, one of the joys of late summer is back-to-school shopping. Somehow

the look and feel of brand new school supplies makes the transition back to school just a bit

more exciting. New pencils and notebooks are like talismans to kids, bearing the promise of

a new school year. But for low-income children, school supplies can be a source of anxiety.

Without money for supplies, these children start the year at a disadvantage and may never

catch up with their peers. That’s why CellMark, PaperSeed’s corporate sponsor, stepped up

to help the students at Fairfax-San Anselmo Children’s Center. Their August school-supply

drive was a huge success. CellMark’s San Rafael office employees donated and delivered

150 backpacks filled with notebooks, binders, and pencils to support the Children’s Center

students in their learning.

Education for All, MoroccoA Boarding House for SchoolgirlsIn September, the PaperSeed Board of Directors visited Education for All in the Atlas Moun-

tains near Marrakech, Morocco. Education for All is building a new boarding house for Berber

schoolgirls, and PaperSeed is providing furnishings and appliances.

“It was great to see how somewhat limited resources can change the lives of so many girls,

now and for years to come. This project embodies the PaperSeed spirit of breaking the

cycle of poverty through education.” Thomas Hedberg, Board Chair

“Meeting and speaking with the people building this home for schoolgirls was deeply touching.

I was able to see and feel the impact PaperSeed is making.” Mitra Farr, Board Treasurer

“The Morocco visit serves as a reminder of how fortunate we are and importance of giving

back.” Joseph Hoffman, Board Member

“Building homes for schoolgirls to continue their secondary education is rare in this remote

region. This project is a life changer.” Kelly Ng, Board Member

Thomas Hedberg, board chair; Aliyya Mattos, executive director; Kelly Ng, board member; Joseph Hoffman, board member; Mitra Farr, board treasurer (left to right)

2014 The Year in Numbers

PaperSeed has supported programs serving 6,600

children in 10 countries: China, Guatemala, India, Kenya,

Morocco, Nicaragua, Peru, Philippines, Thailand, USA.

CellMark employees in 12 countries supported the foundation and/or

volunteered their time: Canada, China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan,

Peru, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, USA.

12 businesses have partnered with PaperSeed: Anmar, CellMark, CPMC, East

Africa Packaging Industries, Flambeau River Papers, Fr. Meyer’s Sohn, Hawkins

Wright, Kimberly-Clark, MegaSoft, People’s United Bank, SEB Bank, Tradecom.

PaperSeed has supported the work of 14 NGO and social enterprise in-country

project partners: Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity, ATMA, Bainbridge

Ometepe Sister Island Association, Camp Rising Sun, Education for All, Fun-

dación Custer, Junior Achievement Kenya, The Kilgoris Project, Muskan, SERES

Nature Education, Shanghai Youth Development, STIR Education Foundation,

Umang Education, Vida Verde, ZanaAfrica.

Help us educate children around the world.To make a donation to PaperSeed, visit www.paperseed.org and click on the Donate tab.

PaperSeed Foundation is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization. All donations to the

foundation are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. CellMark provides financial

support for all PaperSeed’s administrative and operating expenses. This means that 100%

of your donation will directly benefit educational projects. Thank you for your support!

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