Who We Are
One pen, one book, one child, is a Christian non-profit organisation based in the United Kingdom. Founded by Getaneh Alemu and Simon Beck, its aim is to empower children in rural Ethiopia through education. We believe that by providing the essentials, pens and paper, children are encouraged and motivated to both attend school and continue education as they grow. Two men from vastly different backgrounds we have forged our friendship through shared faith. It is by and through faith that we have started this project, a shared desire to help children who have quite literally nothing to have access to the basic staples of school life that so many of us take for granted. It is hard to be motivated to study when you have no paper, nor pen to write with. Yet the children we have experience of want to learn, want to study, want to know more of the world around them. We, all of us together, can help.
Our Team Members
Founder
I'm Getaneh Alemu (PhD), currently working as head of the cataloguing and metadata team at Southampton Solent University. Born in Ethiopia, the birthplace of the coffee bean, I'm passionate about books and libraries. I believe in the transforming power of literacy and education.
Co-founder
I'm Simon Beck, currently working as Customs Manager at global luxury brand Estee Lauder Companies. I first saw the impact of poverty in Ethiopa on a visit in 2015 and started to sponsor a child through a charity called Compassion. After my second visit in June 2017 I was moved, along with Getaneh, to do something more and so we have started this project.
Project Leader
I'm Molla Chebud, currently working as a teacher in Weyila Primary School and studying for my BA in Civic Education. I was born into a rural farming family and have benefitted greatly from education. I want to help my pupils to have the same opportunites that were given to me.