2017: Youth Uplift Challenge
Youth Empowerment
295,484 hands generated $400,000 for youth empowerment.
September 2016 - May 2017
Challenge Overview
400,000 million youth around the world live in poverty.
Around the world young people are growing up in extreme poverty. More than 400,000 million young people live on less than $1.90 a day. Growing up in poverty means these young people often don’t have access to good schools or safe places to learn.
Students reached out their hands and made a difference.
Young people around the world created nearly 300,000 paper hands which the Bezos Family Foundation matched with a donation to Save the Children to help young people in Nicaragua and Indonesia start their own small businesses. Hands were painted, collaged, knit, even 3D! Although each hand was unique, they connected us together and to young people around the world who are working hard for their dreams.
2,000 young people in Nicaragua and Indonesia received job training.
In Nicaragua and Indonesia, young people received job training, start-up funds, and mentorship to help them live into their dreams. One young woman started a business selling chicken eggs; another group of siblings started making and selling candy. In addition to supporting students in starting their own businesses, your support trained 40 teachers in Indonesia to provide financial literacy education to thousands of youth.
Gallery
295,484 handmade hands from 28 countries
A beautiful hand drawn at Hancock High School.
"You learn more when you are part of something like this."
“We pooled money for a sawmill and a hut to house the grinder,” Martha says. “And we’ve recovered that initial investment!”
Teachr, an artist based in Los Angeles, CA, created this art piece inspired by hands made during the Youth Uplift Challenge.
The Youth Uplift Challenge team at JFK HS rallying their school to create hands.
Youths participate in the My Hand campaign at Pike Place Market in Seattle, WA.
Teacher leading youth through an art workshop at the Pico Youth Center in Santa Monica, CA.
Hands by the Youth Uplift Challenge team at California State University.
Signs from the hand-making station at Northern Hunterdon.
Hands created during the Youth Uplift Challenge
Where we came from
Hands across borders
Teams
Art
Projects
Youth Uplift Challenge Teaching Materials
The challenge is over, but you can still make a difference.
Find curricula, videos, and more resources from all Challenges in our resource library.