MEDIA RELEASE
7 March 2013

Thousands of people in at least 24 countries around the world are expected to participate in this year’s Purple Cake Day global day of action, Friday 8 March.

Purple Cake Day is a charity event happening in classrooms and communities that supports children to get the education they need to break the poverty cycle and create a better future.

The fast-growing international charity is aiming to raise NZD$100,000 this year, which will enable them to sustain support for education projects in Haiti and Nepal, and extend this to Kenya through a new partnership with the Hilde Back Education Fund (HBEF).

Founder Emily Sanson-Rejouis says that the support from around the world has been overwhelming.

“Purple Cake Day 2013 is getting unprecedented support from schools and individuals across New Zealand and globally. I feel proud and inspired knowing that together we are connecting and celebrating children around the world and creating a brighter and more educated future for children in need.”

Schools, organisations, and businesses in New Zealand and around the world are holding purple mufti days, coin trails, and bake sales, and many have been learning about the children they are helping using the Purple Cake Day Resource Kit.

The Purple Cake Day Project Partners in Haiti, Nepal, and Kenya will be holding their own celebrations. Funds raised by Purple Cake Day activities worldwide are distributed between the three education projects.

In Haiti, the Children of Haiti project will celebrate with students and children from tent camps. Dominique Pierre from COHP says that their Purple Cake Day activities will include poetry, drawing, and songs and dances performed by the children.

In Nepal, there will be celebrations at the Deali Early Childhood Centre, which was established by First Steps Himalaya and is supported by Purple Cake Day funds. “The NZ consul, Lisa Choegyal will be one of the guests at the Purple Cake Day event during her visit to FSH projects,” says Fionna Heiton, co-founder of FSH. “The Deali centre has been funded with Purple Cake Day support and has a purple painted classroom.”

In Kenya, 55 students and teachers of Mitahato Secondary School will participate on 8th March. “We will have two lovely purple cakes, all the kids will wear purple ribbons,” says Lilian Kwamboka of the Hilde Back Education Fund. “We will all assemble in one of the classrooms and on the chalk board, we will have writings about Purple Cake Day and messages thanking the Purple Cake Day team for all the support.”

Thousands has already been raised so far, with schools around the world getting a head start on their events. Three preschools in Hong Kong raised HK$40,000 during their celebrations (over NZ$6000).

Here in New Zealand, Nelson College raised more than $1200 through a purple mufti day. The Fa’avae family, originally from Nelson and currently living in Queenstown, have committed to a $3000 goal, and have already reached $2285. The kids say:

“We are Zefa, Jessie & Tide Fa'avae. We are going to ride 150km - 'The Otago Rail Trail' to raise money for kids. Our goal is to ride 150km in 5 days! We have had so much support we keep having to change our goal - so we are aiming for $3000 - that means $1000 to each of the countries in focus - Kenya, Nepal and Haiti. Thank you so much for your support. We will ride the rail trail at the end of March, 2013.”

At the International English School of Abidjan, in Ivory Coast, Africa, 33 nationalities participated in Purple Cake Day events which were organised by 7 mothers working for the United Nations mission there. The kids and parents made Purple Cake calendars, postcards, bookmarks, bracelets, candles, and toys. They have so far raised almost USD $3000.

Purple Cake Day events are planned in most towns in New Zealand, with many taking place where the charity originated, Nelson. Internationally, there will be celebrations and fundraising in at least 24 countries, including Haiti, Nepal, Kenya, Dubai, Switzerland, Canada, and the United States.

“Purple Cake Day activities encourage our kids to learn about children in hardship in other countries, and take action to help them,” says Emily Sanson-Rejouis. “It is about celebrating, and having fun, as well as developing compassion, respect, and leadership. We hope kids will learn, early on, that what they do really can make a difference.

Ends.
For more information: www.purplecakeday.org

About Purple Cake Day
Purple Cake Day is a charity that supports children to get the education they need to break the poverty cycle and create a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities. The Purple Cake Day Global Day of Action is 8 March 2013.
Purple Cake Day is about kids helping kids. It celebrates and connects children all over the world, and helps them learn about their role in the global community. It aims to grow our children’s spirit of compassion, respect, and leadership.
Education is the single most important factor in reducing poverty – but currently accounts for only 2% of humanitarian aid. Purple Cake Day partners with established projects in developing countries to ensure that we provide direct and effective benefit to children in need.
Purple Cake Day 2013 aims to raise NZD$100,000 to sustain current education support for children in Haiti and Nepal, and extend this support to children in Kenya.
Purple Cake Day is an initiative of the Kenbe La Foundation Charitable Trust, a New Zealand Registered Trust. (no CC44756).
The Kenbe La Foundation Charitable Trust and Purple Cake Day were founded by humanitarian Emily Sanson-Rejouis following the loss of her husband Emmanuel (39) and daughters, Kofie-Jade (5) and Zenzie (3), in the Haiti Earthquake in January 2010.

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