Global Backpack Project continues to do a great job of making a difference in the lives of so many children, as far as Africa and as close as Portland. Keep up the good work.
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Global Backpack Project has donated hundreds of backpacks to New Avenues for Youth. New Avenues is a service provider for local homeless and at-risk youth in the Portland area. One of our youths' most fundamental needs is backpacks whether for their personal belongings or for their academic careers. GBP has been a key partner of ours and allowed us to fill a huge void for our youth. We're very thankful for all that they've done to support us in this way! Thank you from New Avenues!
Global Backpack Project is an amazing organization that is focused on providing backpacks and school supplies to kids who would otherwise be without. I've been lucky enough to be a part of this organization as a volunteer for 3 years now. I became involved with GBP during a backpack drive at my sons' school... and today, I am still inspired by the commitment exhibited by its founders, volunteers, community partners, donors, supporters who believe in what GBP does and who cares deeply about ensuring that all children have a chance to succeed in school. GBP also welcomes volunteers of all ages - it's been wonderful to have my kids take part in helping put backpacks together for children both locally and abroad.
I started volunteering for Global Backpack Project last year. They were starting their first annual Back to School Fun Run. The spirit in this organization sees the need and rises to meet it! I have gotten to pack some of the backpacks and it's such a good feeling to know someone will be cherishing them soon! My favorite part of getting ready for school was always packing up all the new school supplies. I also love that there is absolutely no overhead costs in this organization and all the money goes to the kids who need it.
I'm Stephen Ssemutumba the Executive Director of Butakoola Village Association for Development(BUVAD) a community based organization operational in Kayunga District of Uganda(East Africa)
Global Back Packers Organization has helped us serve the orphaned and disadvantaged children at Bwetyaaba Primary School, in Kayunga District. Kayunga District has been least attended by international Non -profits though with acute challenges as unearthed in our baseline survey Link: http://buvad.org/app/download/1808222204/BASELINE+SURVEY+verB.pdf
GBP has been exceptional reaching out to our cause and with their support we have in the first phase been able to enable over 100 orphaned children to return to school giving them school uniforms, backpacks(school bags), scholarstic materials like exercise books, pens, geometry sets, colored pencils and dry pencils.
This is just the beginning, we are targeting 2500 children and any support extended to GBP will go directly to support these needy children in our focal area.
I am from the US but live and work in Uganda. Part of my job here is acting as Organizational Capacity Builder for a local Community Development Organization here called Butakoola Village Association for Development (BUVAD). BUVAD works in central Uganda in a very neglected rural area. We made a partnership with one of the local primary schools and then with GBP.
Our experience with GBP could not be better. Our efforts are ongoing and we have recently completed the first phase of the project. Part of that first phase resulted in enabling over 100 kids to return to school. GBP are flexible, dedicated, attentive, great communicators and determined to see the project through.
GBP are worthy of any efforts that can be made in their behalf.