PENNY
FOR YOUR
THOUGHTS
by Alanna Brown
Pennies for Peace started 20 years ago, in 1996, when a group of
As we look forward to the next 20
years, Pennies for Peace groups will continue to serve students, teachers, and
communities in Afghanistan, Pakistan,
and Tajikistan — but they no longer
need to work separately.
This fall, we will introduce the Pennies
for Peace Community Partnership
Program, which will give our various
Pennies for Peace groups the option of
working together to raise funds and empower communities overseas.
Classroom teachers can work together with other teachers in their school;
schools can team up with other schools
in the district; districts can engage with
elementary school students from Wisconsin collected pennies to help build a
school in Korphe, Pakistan. Since then over 7,000 people and groups, from all 50
U.S. states and more than 31 countries, have joined our cause to promote peace
through education. Over two decades we have seen many creative ideas and met
very passionate people. Here is a glimpse of some of them:
A 4th grade class from Ontario,
Canada wrote, illustrated, published
and sold a book based on the Pennies
for Peace lesson plan, More Alike than
Unlike. “This is powerful learning!”
– Liz Raja, Teacher
Girl Scout troop 70047 from
Painesville, Ohio collected pennies
from classmates, friends and
relatives, and created a presentation
to inform other troops about Pennies
for Peace for their World of Girls
Journey book.
32 | JOURNEY OF HOPE
Eastern Technical High School in
Maryland started a Pennies for Peace
club to raise money for schools in
Central Asia and local charities in
Baltimore. “The students inspire their
classmates to get involved. Girls’
education is very important to them.”
– Frank McGrath, Club Advisor
Sunday school students and other
members of Christ Episcopal Church
in Bethlehem, Connecticut and
Morris Congregational Church in
Morris, Connecticut, saved pennies
for three months to benefit Pennies
for Peace programs.
CENTRAL ASIA INSTITUTE