{"id":1716,"date":"2023-02-20T20:04:04","date_gmt":"2023-02-20T20:04:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amshaafrica.org\/?page_id=1716"},"modified":"2025-10-31T06:42:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T06:42:13","slug":"dear-friend-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/amshaafrica.org\/index.php\/dear-friend-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Dear Friend Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\nPreserving the Art of Letter Writing:
\nDear Pen Pal + Kusoma Bags Program for Children<\/span><\/h2><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Foundational literacy skills\u2014reading and writing\u2014are essential for learning. They form the cornerstone of basic education and power economic and social development. Literacy breaks down educational barriers, addresses social injustices, connects communities, and empowers individuals to access knowledge and embrace lifelong learning. It opens doors to employment, entrepreneurship and lasting friendships by fostering essential skills like communication, creativity, and critical thinking- all of which contribute to holistic development. By promoting literacy, societies can cultivate inclusivity, foster equity, and build a more just world.<\/div>
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The Dear Pen Pal + Kusoma Bags Program<\/strong><\/p>

The Dear Pen Pal + Kusoma Bags Program is a collaborative initiative<\/strong> between Amsha Africa Foundation and Start A Library Trust (SAL)<\/a>, 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.<\/p>

In addition to exchanging letters, children in the U.S. will sponsor Kusoma Bags\u00a0(literacy bags) for their Kenyan counterparts to enhance access to reading materials.\u00a0These 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.<\/p>

The program ensures that every child\u2014regardless of geography or background\u2014has 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.<\/p>

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.<\/em><\/p>

If you have a class, group, or organization in the U.S. interested in a penpal partnership<\/strong>, please reach out<\/a> to get started<\/strong>!\u00a0 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.<\/p>

Program Objectives<\/strong><\/p>