Pencils Community

Pencils Community
“Helping children to colour their world”

Pencils Community was born out of sheer passion and the desire to help those in need. What began as a simple creative idea and gift, has grown into a beautiful social enterprise with many varying community projects. After tidying up my daughter’s desk I simply could not throw out the abundance of pencils, one Facebook post later and Pencils Community was born.

This is our thinking...'Take a pencil and create, draw, colour, learn, read and write - it is a tool for opportunity' and it is this concept, which makes us want to give 100% of our profits back into the communities that need it most.

We take collect used and discarded pencils and stationery items from local schools, businesses and the greater community. We then repackage and redistribute these items to children in need, in orphanages and schools both in Australia and overseas so that every child receives Pencils and an opportunity to 'colour their world'.

We believe we can change someone’s future by providing materials that will help improve welfare, encourage creativity and support education. Pencils Community strives to be as sustainable as possible by recycling items and reducing landfill.

Through collaboration with other organisations and charities via various means of transportation (from shipping containers, cars, train, boat, buffalo to backpackers trekking ‘Pencil Packs’ into remote villages) Pencils Community is able to bring a smile to the faces of many children. We have been to over 17 countries such as Uganda, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Kenya, The Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, East Timor, Samoa and more!

As Founder & Creator of Pencils Community, my focus is always on helping as many children as I can through education, sustainability and humanitarian efforts. My role is to get creative and help improve the lives of others, through the gift of Pencils whether it be to the children themselves or to the person or group whom is delivering the items. - Cindy Rochstein, Founder Pencils Community.

One of our most recent projects is called Hearts for Humanity – Project Pencils. The primary focus of these projects is to spend time with the person/group who are delivering the pencils. It is used as a way of healing – whether it be through suffering PTSD or other issues as a way of giving back. We are working with many industries and at present we are collecting Art supplies for over 200 Indigenous children in Alice Springs as well as our usual pencil supplies for a project in Nepal through the emergency services (Police) in September.

Pencils Community is growing every day, reaching out to local and remote schools in Australia as well as many countries across the globe, helping thousands of children in need ... It’s amazing what a difference one pencil can make.

How you can help:

• Collect Pencils - we collect all year round. The easiest way is to get in touch, or start collecting. Items can be dropped off to us at Pencils HQ in Seaford (Victoria), or posted to our PO Box. Interstate collections require a little more creativity but are possible and we have received items from Australia-wide.

• Hearts for Humanity – Project Pencils: These special projects involve industries such as the emergency services (The Police), returned veterans and more. If you think this can help you or your group then please get in touch.

• Pencils and other stationary items – we accept pencils, pencil cases, textas, pens, crayons, rulers, erasers, sharpeners, calculators, exercise books, educational materials and more!

• Fundraise – all funds raised go to the communities that Pencils supports – we have had some awesome bake sales and ‘dress up as your favourite colour day’ at schools.

• Speaking engagements and workshops can be conducted at your school or workplace – get as many people involved as you can.

For more information:
Website: www.pencilscommunity.com
Facebook (Pencils): https://www.facebook.com/PencilsCommunity/
Facebook (Hearts for Humanity – Project Pencils): https://www.facebook.com/Hearts-for-Humanity-Project-Pencils-1846370902350544/
Mobile: 0437 094 049 (Cindy Rchstein)
Email: info@pencilscommunity.com
Address: Pencils Community HQ; PO Box 203, Seaford, 3198 (Victoria, AUSTRALIA).