Let’s Hug it Out
You’ve heard of “paying it forward”—and not just because you saw that movie with Haley Joel Osment way back when. But now one non-profit is taking that whole idea one step further… with hugs.
With your hugging help, Hug It Forward is building schools in Guatemala. And how does a warm, cuddly squeeze translate into enough actual building materials to create an entire school? It’s like this: you track how many hugs you’ve given and received on Hug It Forward’s website. For every hug logged, sponsors contribute one dollar toward the cause of building eco-friendly schools. And you know what’s especially cool (for school!)? The structures are made out of plastic bottles. The local communities gather the bottles and build the “bottle schools” on their own, taking ownership of the projects and teaching kids valuable skills along the way. Watch the video above and see the children get involved!
Hug It Forward’s first project—in Granados, Guatemala—used more than 5,000 plastic bottles to build two classrooms that almost 300 children use every day. Since then, the nonprofit has built nine more schools, with three in progress and even more being planned.
Ten thousand hugs equal one school, so what are you waiting for? Put your arms out! Hug It Forward is something to embrace.
When someone asks you "What's that cool bracelet you're wearing?" - don't just tell them....*H*U*G* them! And give them the bracelet!! How long before "your" bracelet is "Hugged Forward" all around the world?!? Handmade in Guatemala, these bracelets are already a "viral" phenomenon. Get 15 for $10 and give them out to old and new friends. Be a part of a movement that will help educate a whole lot of kids.