Purnell School, a girls’ school in rural New Jersey, rewrote the guidelines for educating the whole person. Grounded in truthful relations, consideration of others, and common sense, Purnell transformed lives and instilled confidence by unwaveringly valuing and nurturing the uniqueness of each student. When Purnell closed its doors in 2021, alumnae chose to carry on its legacy by partnering with Universal Promise. How? Alumnae and friends purchase school uniforms for students who need them to attend school.

83 UNIFORMS FUNDED!
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HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

Shortly after Purnell’s closure, its alumnae sought ways to channel their passion for education and reached out to Universal Promise founder Martha T. Cummings, a former Purnell teacher. Universal Promise’s singular focus on education resonated with the alumnae, and when Cummings explained the importance of the school uniform to the South African children we serve, a collaboration began to take shape. Uniforms, of course, intend to mask financial inequality, but when a family cannot afford a proper uniform, the child suffers. With a school uniform, however, children feel proud and included, leading to improved confidence and hope - which aligns well with what Purnell did each day.

The Alumnae Steering Committee embraced a school uniform drive to support those who would otherwise be unable to attend school. We then facilitated our first Purnell partnership with Sandisulwazi High School and now our second partnership with Addo Primary School. In both schools, students’ families face 70% unemployment during the farming off-season, leaving guardians choosing between providing food, water, electricity, and heating, or buying their children complete school uniforms. Survival dictates short-term solutions over long-term ones, but compromising a child’s education dismantles a freer future. No one should have to make that decision, and Purnell alumnae agree.

A school uniform costs $150, though you may donate any amount. The student will receive a shirt, tie, sweater, pants/skirt, socks, and shoes, and if you fund an entire uniform, you will receive a video follow-up from the learner. Although Purnell is no longer, students everywhere need a Purnell in their lives to carry that vision into the future.