One Million Bones Challenge
2011 - 2013
Students Rebuild joined the One Million Bones project, CARE, and Global Nomads Group to create 1,000,000 handmade bones as a visible petition against humanitarian crises. The Bezos Family Foundation matched student efforts with a donation of $500,000 to CARE’s work in Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC.)
1 million bones generated $500,000 for victims of conflict
Students Rebuild joined the One Million Bones project, CARE and Global Nomads Group to create 1,000,000 handmade bones as a visible petition against humanitarian crises. The Bezos Family Foundation matched student efforts with a donation of $500,000 to CARE’s work in Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Why the One Million Bones Challenge?
Motivation
Violence and mass atrocities are happening today, but often go unnoticed and ignored.
In some parts of the world like Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia and Burma, mass violence and even mass killings are far too common. Because this issue is so horrifying and hard to comprehend, and hard to talk about with children, it doesn’t get the attention it deserves.
When students around the world stepped up to raise awareness about genocide, many didn’t know that disease and starvation can be some of the biggest killers. Our teams learned that the dangerous reality for many people in conflict zones is a life without medical attention, food, potable water, and access to education.
Conflict is more than violence.
The One Million Bones Challenge mobilized students worldwide to make clay and paper mache bones as symbols of solidarity with victims and survivors of ongoing conflict. Students who created bones learned that genocide and mass atrocities are ongoing, and their compassion and artwork helped raise greater awareness around the world. Together our teams created 1 million bones, generating a $500,000 donation from the Bezos Family Foundation.
1 million bones and a generation of young people committed to making a difference.
Students worked to help create 1,000,000 bones that demonstrated solidarity against the conflict in Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
On June 8, 2013, 1,000,000 bones were placed on the National Mall to raise awareness of the issues in Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
How to Participate
The ProcessLearn
Explore resources like lesson plans, art guides, and videos that help students explore who they are – their traits, experiences, and stories – and reflect on the shared humanity between individuals, cultures, and communities.
Create
Encourage students to express their vision for a more united world through their choice of literary, media, performing and visual arts, or STEM.
Share
Submit students’ creative works to Students Rebuild. Each submission or student engaged raises $5 to support organizations worldwide that foster connection and champion collaborative change, up to $1 million.
Get Started
New to Students Rebuild?
Quick Start GuideCheck out our Quick Start Guide, which walks you through how to participate step by step and lists all the resources available to you.
What's in it for you?
Aside from raising money through your creative works, every team or participant who submits artwork receives a downloadable Certificate of Participation. You can also request a detailed letter for service learning hours by emailing [email protected].
Mark your calendar!
All creative work must be submitted by May 31, 2013 11:59pm PDT. Ready to make a difference through creativity? Sign up or sign in today!
One Million Bones Challenge Progress
$500,000
raised of $500,000 goal
We’ve reached our donation goal!
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creative expressions
Every creative work generated raises awareness of the importance of empowering youth and building bridges! Submit now!
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youth engaged
Choose a Medium
Creativity has the power to change the world, and it’s something that all of us can do. Explore the 5 mediums you can use for your Students Rebuild project.
Literary Arts
Short stories, essays, and poetry.
Performing Arts
Dance, theater, and music.
Media Arts
PSAs, films, and videos.
Visual Arts
Graphic design, drawings, paintings, photography, and memes.
STEM
Robotics, digital design, and games.
See what students are creating around the world
Use this map to find other teams participating in the project — the pins show where teams created their works of creative expression. Click the icons to learn how the programs you helped fund are making a difference.
The programs your art helps fund
For each Students Rebuild annual Project, we partner with high-impact organizations working on the ground to help strengthen communities worldwide—many of them household names. The funds we donate transform student work into immediate, on-the-ground progress for carefully vetted programs that are evaluated according to the outcomes they produce. In addition to extending our reach and helping our funding make more of a difference, our partners also inform the resources we provide to teachers and students.