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Purple Cake Day, around the World: International Charity Supports Children of Haiti Project, Others in Nepal, Kenya

By Sarah Wilson
25-Apr-13
Purple Cake Day, around the World: International Charity Supports Children of Haiti Project, Others in Nepal, Kenya


Thousands of people in at least 24 countries around the world participated in this year’s Purple Cake Day global day of action, Friday 8 March. Purple Cake Day is a charity event happening in classrooms and communities that supports children to get the education they need, break the poverty cycle, and create a better future.
The fast-growing international charity is aiming to raise NZD$100,000 this year, which will enable them to sustain support for education projects in Haiti and Nepal, and extend this to Kenya through a new partnership with the Hilde Back Education Fund (HBEF).
Founder Emily Sanson-Rejouis reports that the support from around the world has been overwhelming: “Purple Cake Day 2013 got unprecedented support from schools and individuals across New Zealand and globally. I feel proud and inspired knowing that together we are connecting and celebrating children around the world, and creating a brighter and more educated future for children in need.”
Schools, organizations, and businesses in New Zealand and around the world held purple mufti days, coin trails, and bake sales, and many have been learning about the children they are helping using the Purple Cake Day Resource Kit. Purple Cake Day Project Partners in Haiti, Nepal, and Kenya also held their own celebrations; funds raised by Purple Cake Day activities worldwide are distributed between the three education projects.
In Haiti, the Children of Haiti project (COHP) celebrated with students and children from tent camps. Dominique Pierre from COHP reports that their Purple Cake Day activities included poetry, drawing, and songs and dances performed by the children.
In Nepal, celebrations took place at the Deali Early Childhood Center, which was established by First Steps Himalaya and is supported by Purple Cake Day funds. “The New Zealand Consul, Lisa Choegyal was one of the guests at the Purple Cake Day event during her visit to FSH projects,” says Fionna Heiton, co-founder of FSH. “The Deali centre has been funded with Purple Cake Day support and has a purple painted classroom!”
In Kenya, 55 students and teachers of Mitahato Secondary School participated in the celebration. “We had two lovely purple cakes, all the children wore purple ribbons,” says Lilian Kwamboka of the Hilde Back Education Fund. “We all assembled in one of the classrooms and on the chalk board, we had writings about Purple Cake Day and messages thanking the Purple Cake Day team for all the support.”
Thousands have already been raised so far. Three preschools in Hong Kong raised HK$40,000 during their celebrations. In New Zealand, Nelson College raised more than NZ$1,200 through a purple mufti day. At the International English School of Abidjan, in the Ivory Coast, 33 nationalities participated in Purple Cake Day events that were organized by seven mothers working for the United Nations mission there. The children and parents made Purple Cake calendars, postcards, bookmarks, bracelets, candles, and toys. They have so far raised almost US$3,000.
“Purple Cake Day activities encourage our kids to learn about children in hardship in other countries, and take action to help them,” explains Ms. Sanson-Rejouis. “It is about celebrating and having fun, as well as developing compassion, respect, and leadership. We hope children will learn, early on, that what they do really can make a difference."
For more information, visit http://www.purplecakeday.org, and the Children of Haiti Project website at http://childrenofhaitiproject.org.




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