2012: One Million Bones Challenge
Humanitarian Crisis

In some parts of the world like Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia and Burma, mass violence and even mass killings are far too common. Because this issue is so horrifying and hard to comprehend, and hard to talk about with children, it doesn't get the attention it deserves.

When students around the world stepped up to raise awareness about genocide, many didn’t know that disease and starvation can be some of the biggest killers. Our teams learned that the dangerous reality for many people in conflict zones is a life without medical attention, food, potable water, and access to education. We connected with young people in conflict zones, and learned that ongoing crises disrupt a region’s economic recovery, making it hard for these young people to grow up and get jobs.

The One Million Bones Challenge mobilized students worldwide to make clay and paper mache bones as symbols of solidarity with victims and survivors of ongoing conflict. Students who created bones learned that genocide and mass atrocities are ongoing, and their compassion and artwork helped raise greater awareness around the world. Together our teams created 1 million bones, generating a $500,000 donation from the Bezos Family Foundation.

With the help of students around the world, CARE was able to use the money generated by the One Million Bones challenge to train young people as seamstresses, electronics, and data entry. For young people whose lives have been deeply disrupted by the legacy of conflict and displacement, the opportunity to learn job skills and begin a career is invaluable. Along with support from CARE psychologists, this job training helped young people earn money, and feel empowered to live their dreams.