on
ay
SA
org
2015
Spotlight on Education
Greetings from PaperSeed! As 2015 draws to a close, I’m thankful for all the opportunities PaperSeed has had to partner with organizations across the globe to strengthen education. Our strategy in 2015 has evolved to focus even more on empowering girls and supporting teachers as education entrepreneurs. In the following pages you’ll read about three projects from the year in Kenya, Thailand, and the US. PaperSeed is proud to support these vital education initiatives and others in our portfolio. I’d also like to acknowledge PaperSeed’s corporate sponsorships, especially from East Africa Packaging Industries, Fr. Meyer’s Sohn, and Megasoft. These businesses are at the forefront of corporate social responsibility and demonstrate that businesses truly can “do well by doing good.” Many of our projects rely on a dedicated network of volunteers—a special year-end thank you for their ongoing support of our mission. Looking towards 2016, we have some exciting new initiatives in the works: The Global Girl’s Education Internship Program will challenge students in the US to learn about the barriers facing girls in the developing world and give students the tools to become part of the solution. The Recycled Art Competition will give student participants the opportunity to use materials otherwise headed for the landfill as building blocks for creative projects. I look forward to sharing more details about these projects with you in 2016. Until then, from all of us at PaperSeed, happy holidays and a prosperous new year!
Aliyya Shelley Mattos, Executive Director
ZanaAfrica, Kenya Keeping girls in school The numbers are startling. Across Africa, 66% of girls drop out of school by the age of 16. With their educations cut short, young women are more likely to live in poverty and are at greater risk of HIV infection, child marriage, and abuse. When multiplied across hundreds of thousands of young women, the economies of entire countries are negatively impacted. This problem starts at puberty, when in the developing world, many girls are excluded from continuing their educations. Those who are in school have low attendance because they lack basic necessities. ZanaAfrica is meeting this challenge head on by providing undergarments, pads, and health education at no cost. When their feminine hygeine needs are met, girls regain up to 75% of their learning days. PaperSeed contributed to ZanaAfrica’s project with funding that allowed 10,000 girls to receive sanitary pads, an important step in educating girls and breaking the cycle of poverty.
Sunshine Village Orphanage, Thailand Preparing tsunami survivors for the future In 2004, the island of Phuket was hit by a tsumani of historic proportions. Hundreds died, leaving many children orphaned and homeless. In the wake of this disaster, Sunshine Village opened to house orphans and other children whose families were no longer able to care for them. To support Sunshine Village, CellMark employees in Singapore took a two-pronged approach. They fundraised independently in order to supply Sunshine Village and two other orphanages with essentials such as diapers, shampoo, soap, and rice. Then to further their impact, the CellMark employees applied for a Local + Global grant from PaperSeed. The funding they received provided new computers for Sunshine Village’s computer lab. With new machines that provide fast, reliable connections to the web, Sunshine Village residents are able to access information and gain technological literacy that will help prepare them to live as independent adults.
Vida Verde Nature Education, USA Introducing low-income students to nature Northern California is a land of spectacular nature. From the redwood forests of the fog- draped mountains to the dramatic cliffs of the Pacific coastline, the landscape calls to visitors from all over the world. Yet kids living in the San Francisco Bay Area’s inner cities rarely experience this beauty so close to their homes. They often suffer from what experts call “nature deficit disorder,” a condition that impacts their wellbeing and achievement. Vida Verde meets their needs by offering free environmental education programs. Serving students in grades four through six, Vida Verde introduces 750 kids each school year to the joys of camping in the region’s beautiful places. The program is aligned with the California state curriculum standards. As a result, students make gains in their science learning outcomes. Funding from PaperSeed helped provide food for the trips and mattresses for the camp’s tepees. With these basic needs met, students are able to focus on learning about nature as they hike, explore tide pools, and gaze up at the stars.
PaperSeed Partnerships Helping businesses give back As we close out 2015, PaperSeed is looking towards growth in the year ahead. We are seeking partners to join us as we strengthen educational opportunities in underserved communities around the world. Our vision is to deepen our impact by connecting resources in forestry products, chemicals, and metals industries with communities that need them the most. CellMark, our primary corporate sponsor, will continue to underwrite our administrative costs. However, we are seeking additional partnerships to grow our impact. Partnering with PaperSeed is a great way for businesses, without their own foundations, to satisfy their corporate responsibility through the expertise and efficiency of PaperSeed—a proven, well-established foundation. To learn more about the benefits of our partnership program, please see our FAQ at www.paperseed.org/partnerships.
PaperSeed Board of Directors, 2015 Guiding our work “Inherent within CellMark’s culture is the value of giving back in the places where we do business. PaperSeed allows us to support organizations both financially and with our greatest asset, our employees. It has been a pleasure to see and support the growth of the foundation. I encourage other businesses to take advantage of PaperSeed for engaged and effective corporate social responsibility.” Joe Hoffman, Board Chair Joe Hoffman, Board Chair Mitra Farr, Board Treasurer Aliyya Mattos, PaperSeed Executive Director Hugo Galletta, Board Member Vic Rice, Board Member Yun Zheng, Board Member
Join us as we educate children around the world. Donate to PaperSeed today. To make a donation to PaperSeed, visit http://www.paperseed.org/donate/. 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 operational expenses. This means that 100% of your donation will directly benefit educational projects. Thank you for your support!
2015 The Year in Numbers PaperSeed supported 15 organizations whose programs have benefitted over 75,000 children across 7 countries: China, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Morocco,
Thailand, and the United States. Cell Mark employees supported the foundation and/or volunteered their time in 11 countries: Canada, China (both mainland and Hong Kong), Germany, Japan,
Peru, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. 9 businesses partnered with PaperSeed: one that wishes to remain anonymous;
CellMark; East Africa Packaging Industries Ltd.; Fr. Meyer’s Sohn; Hawkins Wright; Megasoft; Pullman & Comley, LLC; SEB Bank; Tradecom PaperSeed supported the work of 15 NGO and social enterprise in-country project partners: ArtCorps, Education for All, Fairfax-San Anselmo Children’s Center, Girl Rising India, Hai Ke Home, High Atlas Foundation, Keep California Beautiful, The Kilgoris Project, Muthaa Community Development Foundation, Philip’s Education Partners, Phuket Sunshine Village, Project Seres, STIR, Vida Verde, ZanaAfrica.
PaperSeed Foundation 22 Pelican Way San Rafael, CA 94901, USA info@paperseed.org