Preserving the Art of Letter Writing:
Dear Pen Pal + Kusoma Bags Program for Children
Dear Pen Pal + Kusoma Bags Program for Children
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The Dear Pen Pal + Kusoma Bags Program
The Dear Pen Pal + Kusoma Bags Program is a collaborative initiative between Amsha Africa Foundation and Start A Library Trust (SAL), designed to connect learners in the United States (U.S.) and Kenya through a structured exchange of letters. The program fosters literacy development, cross-cultural understanding, and critical life skills such as communication, empathy, and collaboration while building enduring one-on-one global connections. At its core, the program seeks to create equitable learning opportunities, enabling marginalized learners in Kenya to access literacy resources and inspiring their U.S. counterparts to embrace global citizenship and social responsibility.
In addition to exchanging letters, children in the U.S. will sponsor Kusoma Bags (literacy bags) for their Kenyan counterparts to enhance access to reading materials. These bags, designed to kick-start home libraries, include locally authored storybooks, a pen, a notebook and a reading tracker for personalized learning. By providing these resources, the program empowers Kenyan learners to develop their literacy skills and unlock growth opportunities. Meanwhile, the letter-writing exchange nurtures creativity, self-expression, and cross-cultural friendships, fostering a global network of learners dedicated to building a more inclusive and equitable world.
The program ensures that every child—regardless of geography or background—has the tools to thrive and contribute to a brighter future. The Dear Pen Pal + Kusoma Bags Program is open to children between the ages of eight and fourteen (3rd through 8th grade) both in the U.S. and Kenya, offering an opportunity for meaningful connections across borders.
We are partnering with groups and schools in the U.S. and Kenya to match children with a pen pal of similar age and interests. We take care of providing all essential writing supplies and postage, giving convenience to teachers, group organizers, and other supervising adults involved in the program.
If you have a class, group, or organization in the U.S. interested in a penpal partnership, please reach out to get started! Once initiated, both the U.S. and Kenyan groups will complete a short form to gather information about the pen pal to aid in matching children.
Program Objectives
- Promote Literacy Development: Provide children in Kenya and the U.S. opportunities to strengthen their writing skills and literacy through letter writing. It also provides learners in Kenya with high-quality literacy resources through the distribution of Kusoma Bags, fostering foundational literacy skills and supporting their journey toward lifelong learning.
- Encourage Cross-Cultural Understanding: Facilitate letter exchanges that allow children to share experiences, traditions, and perspectives to foster global connections and cultural appreciation.
- Cultivate Global Citizenship: Inspire children to engage in acts of social responsibility, fostering empathy and understanding between communities.
Key Program Components
- Pen Pal Letter Exchange: Children in Kenya and the U.S. will exchange letters roughly, every month or two. These letters will encourage sharing personal stories, cultural traditions, and mutual interests, fostering a spirit of friendship and learning. All participants will receive a writing kit with paper, envelopes, pencils, etc., to aid in their letter writing. The initial commitment to this program is a school year.
- Kusoma Bag Sponsorship: U.S. children/families will also sponsor literacy bags for their Kenyan pen pals. Each bag, costing $20 USD, will include two age-appropriate storybooks, an exercise book, a pen, and a reading tracker to support consistent reading habits. For U.S. children unable to sponsor, we have grants available to help support and fund as needed.
Expected Outcomes
- Improved Literacy Levels: Enhanced literacy skills, including writing, reading fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary, among Kenyan and U.S. learners supported by access to quality resources and mentorship.
- Cross-Cultural Exchange: Increased cultural awareness and global perspective among learners in both countries, fostering appreciation and respect for diverse cultures.
- Empowered Global Learners: A strengthened sense of global citizenship, empathy, and responsibility for educational, social equity among learners.
- Sustainable Literacy Partnerships: A model for scalable, impactful
collaborations between schools and organisations in the U.S. and Kenya to
address educational disparities.
We look forward to partnering with U.S. schools and groups to create a meaningful, cross-cultural exchange that prioritizes literacy, learning, and global citizenship. Send us an email today to get started!
The Dear Friend Pen Pal Program is a remarkable initiative designed to preserve the cherished tradition of letter writing among today’s children, fostering strong communication skills through the written word. Open to children between the ages of five and sixteen in both the United States and Kenya, this program offers an opportunity for meaningful connections across borders.
Once enrolled, each child is matched with a pen pal of similar age and gender from the other country, initiating a captivating exchange of letters. Dear Friend takes care of all essential writing supplies and postage, providing convenience to parents, teachers, orphanage staff, and other supervising adults involved in the program. Whether mailing to schools, orphanages, or homes, mailings are directed to the addresses provided at registration.
To ensure a consistent flow of correspondence, Dear Friend offers unwavering support, ensuring that every child receives regular letters from their pen pals. The exchange typically takes around two weeks for letters to travel between Kenya and the United States, with children expected to reply within a few days to two weeks upon receipt.
To enroll your child in this extraordinary experience, simply send an email to ginny.gray@amshaafrica.org, or admin@amshaafrica.org including the child’s name, gender, and age. Our dedicated Special Programs Director, Ginny Gray, will personally respond to facilitate the pen pal matching process.
Join the Dear Friend Pen Pal Program today and empower your child with the timeless art of letter writing, fostering lasting connections and promoting excellent communication skills.
2023 Impact Report
Dear Friend Pilot Project: Heartwarming Cards from U.S. Children to Kenyan Orphans
In December 2009, an incredible initiative took flight as a group of compassionate U.S. children crafted heartfelt holiday cards destined for orphans in Kenya. These beautiful cards, filled with love and good wishes, were personally delivered to bring joy to the young recipients.
To commemorate this extraordinary act of kindness, each of these holiday cards was carefully scanned and shared on AAF’s Facebook page. We invite you to witness the heartfelt sentiments and artistic creations by clicking here, where you can find these scanned cards.
Join us in celebrating the power of connection and the universal language of compassion as we bridge the distance between nations through these touching cards. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of these deserving children.
Note: The Dear Friend Pilot Project extends its sincere gratitude to all the U.S. children who participated in this heartwarming endeavor.
Dear Friend Pilot Project: Heartfelt Exchange of Cards between Kenyan Orphans and U.S. Children
In January 2010, an incredible connection unfolded as Kenyan orphans, who had received heartfelt holiday cards from children in the U.S., responded with their own handcrafted cards and heartfelt letters. This heartwarming exchange of goodwill captured the essence of the Dear Friend Pilot Project.
To preserve and share the magic of these exchanges, each of these precious holiday cards has been thoughtfully scanned and proudly displayed on AAF’s Facebook page. You can explore the scanned cards from the Kenyan orphans by clicking here, immersing yourself in their creativity and touching messages.
Heartwarming Cards Exchanged by Children
Program Long-Term Success: Empowering Children through Literacy, Cultural Awareness, and Global Connections
The ultimate success of this program lies in its ability to support all participating children in achieving their literacy goals, fostering heightened cultural awareness, and experiencing the profound joy that comes from knowing that a caring child from across the world genuinely cares about them.
Furthermore, this project plays a crucial role in preserving the art of letter writing, imparting valuable communication skills through the written word to our generation’s children. By emphasizing the importance of effective written communication, we equip children with a powerful tool for self-expression and connection that will serve them well throughout their lives.
Through this program, we aim to nurture a love for language, promote intercultural understanding, and instill in children a deep appreciation for the beauty and impact of heartfelt written exchanges. Together, we are shaping a future where literacy thrives, cultural bridges are built, and genuine connections between children transcend geographical boundaries.
Program Short-Term Success: Cultivating Cultural Awareness and Cross-Border Connections
In the short term, our program seeks to achieve immediate outcomes that will have a profound impact on the participating children. These include:
Heightened cultural awareness: By actively engaging with children from different countries, we aim to broaden their understanding of diverse cultures, traditions, and ways of life. Through letter exchanges and shared experiences, children will develop a greater appreciation for the richness and diversity of our global community.
Joyful connections and caring relationships: Through the power of heartfelt communication, children will experience the joy of knowing that another child from across the world genuinely cares about them. By forging meaningful friendships and fostering a sense of empathy, we aim to create a supportive and inclusive network where children feel valued, understood, and supported.
By achieving these short-term goals, we lay a solid foundation for long-term success, enabling children to embrace cultural diversity, celebrate global connections, and cultivate a lifelong curiosity for the world around them.
Program Success Monitored by: Continuous Assessment and Impact Evaluation
To ensure the ongoing success of the program, we have implemented a robust monitoring and evaluation framework. Supervising adults will play a vital role in this process, receiving surveys every three months to assess the program’s effectiveness.
Key indicators of program success include:
Quantity and quality of correspondences: The number of exchanges between participating children will be closely monitored, along with the depth and meaningfulness of their interactions. This measurement reflects the level of engagement and connection established through the program.
Cultural awareness and appreciation: We will evaluate the extent to which participating children demonstrate an enhanced cultural awareness and appreciation for diverse backgrounds. This assessment will highlight the program’s impact in promoting cross-cultural understanding and fostering a global mindset.
Communication and letter writing skills: The program’s success will be measured by the progress children make in improving their communication and letter writing skills. Through evaluations and observations, we will assess their ability to express themselves effectively, engage in meaningful dialogue, and demonstrate growth in written communication proficiency.
By diligently monitoring these indicators, we can continuously refine and adapt the program to ensure its effectiveness in empowering children, cultivating cultural awareness, and nurturing their communication skills. The feedback received from supervising adults will be invaluable in shaping the program’s future direction and maximizing its impact.
Program Success Examples: Inspiring Transformations and Empowered Participants
The program has witnessed remarkable success, with over 200 children from Kenya, the US, and Europe currently engaged in its enriching activities. Feedback from supervising adults through surveys reveals the program’s popularity and resounding success.
Noteworthy achievements include:
Heightened cultural awareness and improved letter writing skills: Many children have made significant strides in their cultural awareness, embracing diversity and fostering cross-cultural understanding. Their enhanced letter writing skills reflect their growth in effective communication and self-expression.
Inspiring career aspirations and empathy: A mother from the US shared a touching testimonial about her 8-year-old child’s transformative journey. Through the program, the child’s passion for making a difference has ignited, with aspirations to join the Peace Corps and actively support underprivileged children in Africa. This newfound interest showcases the program’s ability to inspire empathy, compassion, and a desire to positively impact the lives of others.
These success examples highlight the program’s ability to create meaningful connections, cultivate empathy, and empower children to become global citizens. We are proud of the positive impact it has made on the participating children, fostering personal growth, and nurturing a sense of social responsibility.
As the program continues to flourish, we remain dedicated to providing enriching experiences and fostering a supportive environment where children can thrive and make a difference in the world.
