2012: One Million Bones Challenge

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.

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.

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.