"It is my steadfast belief that every child deserves an education, and every child’s future begins with a pencil."

Retta Jitner, Founder & President, Pencils For Kids, Inc.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Retta Jitner, founder of Pencils for Kids, Inc. an organization that provides school uniforms, notebooks and yes, pencils, along with other school supplies, to children in parts of the world that do not have the chance to attend school.  Her story starts as every good story starts: with a breakthrough AHA! moment.

While on vacation in Burma, Retta was taking a leisurely walk when she was surrounded by several young children, eager to practice their English and make a new friend from America. As the group continued along together, one seven-year-old girl shyly asked Retta for a pencil. In searching her bag, Retta found a few pens and held one out. The little girl returned the pen with a polite “thank you” and, a moment later, disappeared.

Retta asked a remaining boy, “Why didn’t she want the pen? Why did she have to have a pencil?” He replied, “Because you need a pencil to go to school.”

Upon returning home to the United States, Retta learned that six dozen pencils can be purchased for $4.20 – just six cents per pencil. Soon after, she founded Pencils For Kids, Inc., a non-profit corporation dedicated to providing school supplies to children around the world.

A Pressing Need

Across the globe, millions of families are toiling just to provide shelter and food. Although most of these hard-pressed parents understand the value of education for their children, they simply don’t have the funds for the necessary school supplies.  In Bali, for example, where children begin school at age seven, parents are required to purchase school uniforms and all supplies. Nothing – not even crayons, pencils or paper – is provided by the educational system.

 At $10 each – about 25% of a typical rural family’s monthly income – a school uniform is out of reach for many families.  For those who can buy a single uniform, the mother must hand wash it every night. In other families, children do without school altogether.

A Social Entrepreneur

Retta believes in "giving back." Her philanthropic services include past President of Marymount High School Alumnae Association; Foster Parent to children with PlanUSA; cyclist in the California AIDS Rides, Alaska AIDS Vaccine Ride, and Best Buddies Hearst Castle Ride; and participant in the 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk.

A keen world traveler, she has a special love for Asia, which has become a second home. She makes frequent trips there for business and pleasure … and never leaves home without pencils.

For more information on Pencils for Kids, Inc. please visit http://pencilsforkidsinc.com/

“There is so much abundance and generosity in the world. People are so gracious.” Retta Jitner

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