We are delighted that your school is interested in working with a sister school in Africa. We look forward to your active participation and know that by working together we can dramatically change the lives of thousands of children. It will be an incredible adventure for both American and African students.

 

In order to effectively help schools in Southern Africa, it is necessary to build a sustained and supportive relationship. We see the success of this program rooted in long-term partnerships with clearly defined goals and objectives. To ensure the success of the program, we hope that each school can commit to the following:

1.   At least a three-year commitment to a partner school.

2.   American principals/advisors will establish an ongoing relationship with their African counterpart. As many African schools have no electricity, and therefore no e-mail, some communication will have to be done through local organizations.

3.   Each school will enlist a faculty advisor who is strongly committed to the program and will coordinate its activities.

4.   Each school will complete a school profile that will be sent to partnering school.

5.   Participating students will complete a personal profile that will be sent to partnering school. Profile should include information on a student’s family, their school, their neighborhood, hobbies, likes and dislikes, extracurricular activities and career plan. Contained in the profile students should include questions for their pen pal to answer.

6.   Participating students should correspond at least four times a year. Perhaps once a month.

7.   Participating NYC schools will commit to supporting their African partner with books and other educational materials. The US-African Children’s Fellowship, Inc will ship these items to Africa. One or two shipments are planned for each academic year. The shipment should also include, if possible, specific items requested by the sister school.

8.   Each participating school will set up an information bulletin board in their school to inform other students about the program and the country of the partnered school.

9.   Schools will create a newsletter about the program and distribute to students in their school and other participating America schools. We ask that each school produced four newsletters a year.

10.  Active participation in the yearly Partnership Forum. Schools will be encouraged to share their successes and seek advice in overcoming any ongoing difficulties. Outstanding achievement of individual schools and students will be recognized by the US-Africa Children’s Fellowship.

11.  (Optional) At least one fundraiser should be held each year. Some of the funds raised may go to defer the cost of the shipping container. The balance will be specifically earmarked for purchases by the partnered school in Africa. (i.e. uniforms, sewing machines, school fees, calculators, bore holes, medicines, brick molds, etc.)