Postcards with Friends
International Penpal comeback
Our penpal program began when we realized that children in remote areas often had only one to three career options—typically police officers, teachers, or farmers. This limitation wasn't due to a lack of potential but rather a lack of exposure to a broader world of opportunities.
By connecting children from our North Texas community with those in remote regions, we discovered many shared traits, particularly a common sense of hope, kindness, and love.
Our postcards still ask, "What would you like to be when you grow up?" and they now foster an environment of connection, love, and the universal language of art.
To date, we have connected schools from North Texas Lewisville ISD, Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD, and Argyle ISD, including elementary, middle, and high schools, with 8 schools and 1 rescue home in the Andes of Peru, 1 nonprofit that supports refugees in extreme poverty in Jordan, 1 nonprofit that supports remote schools in Zambia, and 5 schools plus 2 orphanages in Uganda. These exchanges take place in both English and Spanish.
Our doors are open to any one that would like to send a postcard of encouragement and hope to children facing extreme difficulties to stay in school. We have worked with Austin, TX Montessori schools, Brazoswood high School in Waco, Texas, and a youth correctional facility in Richmond, Virginia.
Interested in participating in this project? Let us know:
"Hi Patricia, my name is Rachel! I just want you to know that you are amazing!
I hope you are doing Great!"
Rachel, 3rd grade, Ms. Hernandes, Wellington Elementary
Kindness in Encouragement
Global Love and Art
There may be no better way to communicate than through art. This universal language provides our children with a means of expression that transcends words and crosses borders.
