As told by Global Concerns:

"When you think of a pencil, you might think of that cool, new ten-dollar mechanical pencil from Fancy Box that everyone except you seems to have. You think, “Wow, it’s expensive, but who cares? I want it!” It may be true that several people (mostly girls) will have these pencils at school, but, in reality, others are not as fortunate.

For example, in some areas in Africa, countless people live in poverty, a place where they are not as blessed as us. To them, education is ideal, a complete luxury, whereas here, education is free. Yet, students often complain about homework and having to wake up and school in general. To these people who are deprived of what we think is a basic necessity in our lives (ie. computers or our iPods), a pencil is a gift, a present, something that is cherished and treasured. 
  
Therefore, knowing this, Global Concerns set up a literacy drive, collecting as many pencils as possible. Then, they gift wrapped them, and lastly, sent them to Develop Africa, a non-profit and non-governmental organization aiming to aid development in Africa. Global Concerns members are proud to say that they helped achieve the giant smile on each lucky child’s face when he or she rips open the small but significant present and find two pencils, which will then become his or her own personal possessions" 

See pictures of Global Concerns pencil drive / team members

Thanks Global Concerns for truly helping to make a difference
Develop Africa Team