What it's all about

My project idea is to link up local schools/colleges with schools in South Africa. I think a first step could be through a pen pal scheme whereby students in the UK could write to students in SA and vice versa. During my gap year I visited a few townships and schools within them, I feel these communities would benefit more from such a link than more developed ones. By writing to the students of these schools I believe it will give the Uk students a great opportunity to learn more about other cultures, help develop an awareness of Social Issues and appreciate differences and challenges that others face. For the South African students it will provide an exciting opportunity, will enable them to learn about other cultures and help with their english. I chose this idea of a pen pal scheme because receiving a letter from someone shows that they have taken the time and care to write it, something now more rare; lost in the wake of technology. Also by establishing this connection we could identify issues that the schools could help with for example books for their libraries etc then possibly in the future schools could organise exchanges programmes. I think this would be an invaluable opportunity for students in both countries that would nurture confidence, cultural awareness and a desire to help others. Once set up, I would like to visit with the first letters from uk students and if needed read them to the students abroad, helping them to write back and providing them with pen pal packs that they can keep (including paper, pens, potage etc) I think by doing this and by taking photos it will make it more personal/real for the uk students and help secure the projects future.

What's needed to make it a reality