khadarlis classroom to classroom pen pal program
TRANSCRIPT
Classroom-to-Classroom:Pen Pal Project
Connecting students in Sierra Leone with students in Providence
Sierra Leone
• Population: 7.89 million• 60% live in rural areas (agriculture
is the biggest sector)• Average life expectancy: 57 • 70.2% below poverty line• Still recovering from a devastating
civil war that occurred between 1991 and 2002
Sierra Leone
• 41.9% are under the age of 14• Avg. class size: 50 to 70 students• Only 40% of 15-24 year olds are
literate, but this number is improving over time
• One of the biggest problems is a lack of basic resources such as paper and pencils
What is the Classroom-to-Classroom Project?
• Pen pal exchange• Providence students (grades 2+) are partnered
with students in Sierra Leone• Teachers will act as important guides for their
classrooms
Providence Students
Sierra Leone
Students
Khadarlis
How it Works
The teacher/mentor will:• Sign up for our project • Decide on goals for
project: “What do I want students to take out of this?”
• Ensure students are writing quality letters
How it WorksKhadarlis will:• Help create plan for age
group and subject• Provide
information/instructional materials (and present to class if desired)
• Pair students and send letters
• Assist with any projects
Some Other Possibilities
• Service-learning projects (such as fundraisers to meet Sierra Leone classroom needs)
• Student presentations about relevant topic/what they’ve learned
• Classroom supply drive for Sierra Leone
Important Themes
Cultural exchange
Empathy and understanding
Meaningful friendships
Awareness of global problems
Letter-writing skills
Activism
If you are interested:If you would like to get your classroom on board with our project,
have questions, or would like to learn more please email [email protected]
NOTE: Any high school students are welcome to sign up for a pen pal independently of our program.