The 'I Promise You' film reminds us global education is crucial

The world is way bigger than TikTok posts and even awards shows antics. Seeing a sneak peek into the I Promise You film serves as a major reminder of just how much the globe needs healing and why the push for education is bigger than just what’s happening across the nation.

The ‘I Promise You’ trailer

Presented by Pencils of Promise (PoP) - the for-purpose education organization determined to support access to quality education around the world - has released its new short film, I Promise You, and it immediately tugs at your heart strings.

I Promise You, directed by Jonathan Olinger and produced/creative directed by Maya Savage, is a story of hope, community, and a promise to build a better world by unlocking the full potential of children across the globe. As their pathway to promise, PoP helps remove the barriers to opportunity for children around the world through quality education and sees it as a birth right for all. Narrated by Scales, the film tells the story from the authentic voices of PoP’s communities and leaders in Ghana, Guatemala, and Laos emphasizing their focus and commitment to education equity in helping to transform children and communities around the globe.

There’s even a hip-hop element to the film. Atlanta legend Lil Jon has his presence felt along with some other key celebrity faces.

The film also features some of PoP’s committed leading celebrity ambassadors Meadow Walker, Lil Jon, and his son DJ Young Slade interacting with PoP communities. Spotlighted throughout is one of PoP’s brand partners LifeStraw, who works with governments, donors, and individual consumers to understand the need for safer water. They have provided filters in 98 PoP schools in Ghana with plans to expand this effort. I Promise You will be closed-captioned and available in six languages including: English, Spanish, Lao, German, French and Japanese.

The key players speak

Folks attached to the project have since stepped up and weighed-in. Everyone from CEO Kailee Scales to executives associated with the organization have chimed in on the film’s significance.

“At Pencils of Promise, we believe that despite barriers and challenges, every person should be free to fly,” said Pencils of Promise CEO Kailee Scales. “This short film is a love-letter to our students, families, communities and a rallying-cry to everyone who believes collective freedom includes the promise of access to quality education, and a pathway to achieve our dreams.” 

“I was the first employee running operations in Ghana when PoP registered in October 2012,” saidPencils of Promise Country Director Freeman Gobah. “We now have 43 staff today who are working actively with 188 builds completed to date and over 30,000 students being impacted by our Teacher Support and WASH programs. We are committed to growth, and this film shines a bright light on our work over the past 10 years, through community engagement, collaborations with partners and stakeholders, and more.”

“We are grateful to have partnered with Pencils of Promise to support safe water for schools in Ghana,” said LifeStraw CEO Alison Hill. “We love working with like-minded organizations that value the importance of establishing local roots and investing in communities long term. What has been so special about this project was all the local leadership from LifeStraw and PoP in Kenya and Ghana working together to make an impact.”