Our Mission
Thank you for your interest in Project Knapsack’s global pen pal and back pack exchange program. Project Knapsack is a not for profit organization whose mission is to promote cultural awareness and decrease the current barriers that affect student learning in Africa.
Our literacy program partners elementary and secondary students in the United States, from both public and private schools with pen pals in Africa. Project Knapsack pen pals on the developing side of the exchange each receive brand new back packs filled with school supplies. We target schools in the developing world that have eager students and wonderful teachers but lack the educational resources needed to give students a more than adequate opportunity to excel in the classroom.
In their letters, students are encouraged to talk about school, family, friends, pets, hobbies and what life is like in their local communities. Students from both continents will build literacy skills in the areas of grammar, writing, geography, topography, penmanship, English Language Conventions and cultural awareness. The program also contains a built-in service learning component that gives students the platform to increase social awareness and work together to raise money which will go towards purchasing brand new knapsacks for their adopted classroom or pen pal.
We value the relationships that we have with our sponsors and appreciate your kindness and generosity. Your time and support will help increase education standards in the United States and Africa.
Who We Help
Our global pen pal program is designed to help students on both continents build literacy skills in the areas of reading, writing, spelling, grammar, penmanship, geography, topography and current events. Students on the American side of the exchange learn about the current statistics and barriers that affect elementary and secondary education in Africa.
Did you know that most African students walk between three to ten miles each day to be able to attend school? In additional to the extreme heat, crowded roads and lack of resources, students in Africa hunger for the gift of knowledge and strive for the tools needed to acquire a more than adequate education.
We provide students in Africa and students from the local Los Angeles community with brand new back filled with school supplies at the beginning of each year. In addition, we have raised additional funds to expand the library and technology labs in several of our schools.
CELEBRITY LOVE
Project Knapsack friend and supporter, Lisa Kudrow, came out to show some love at Project Knapsack’s 2010 “Runway to Africa” Charity Fashion and Basketball Jam Session. The event was a part of the organization partnership with the LMU Men’s Basketball and LMU Cares. Lisa is pictured here with several players from the Men’s Basketball team.Lisa Kudrow
Madison Pettis has been a featured guest model and Mistress of Ceremonies at Project Knapsack’s “Runway to Africa” Charity Fashion Show since 2007. In these photos, Madison and the Project Knapsack gang are featured on KTLA morning news. The segment highlighted the organizations upcoming trip to Africa where they will deliver over 800 backpacks filled with school supplies.Madison Pettis
Chicago Bears quarterback, Jay Cutler, joined the Project Knapsack team and visited two fourth grade classrooms at The Daniel Freeman Elementary School located in Inglewood, CA. During the visit, Jay worked with the students in writing their return pen pals letters to their new friends in Africa.Jay Cutler
Actor Dwayne Johnson, founder of The Rock Foundation, partnered with Project Knapsack and helped to expand the program to Central America. The team traveled to El Salvador to deliver knapsacks to students at the El Centro Escolar.Dwayne The Rock Johnson
This year, Project Knapsack expanded its efforts to Rusinga Island, Kenya in partnership with One Kid One World and Actress Kristin Cavallari. Kristin and the One Kid One World team visited the classrooms of our fourth grade pen pals from the Daniel Freeman Elementary School in Inglewood, CA.Kristin Cavallari
Corporate Sponsors
We appreciate the kindness and generosity given by all of our supporters and friends. Thank You!!