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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!