"To promote a better understanding of the host country on the part of Americans"
I participate in the World Wise Schools program through the Peace Corps, which gives me an opportunity to be paired up with a classroom in the U.S., sharing pen pal letters back and forth. Fortunately, one of my best friends from grade school, Ashleigh, offered to be pen pals with a classroom at my school and have been exchanging letters back and forth since September. I am lucky enough to get to hear about the process from both sides and it has been really enlightening to see them get excited about exchanging cultures with each other.
As I traveled back to the States I made an arrangement to surprise Ashleigh's 3rd grade class with their hand delivered letters all the way from Grenada. As I stepped into the classroom and Ashleigh introduced me the kids were filled with excitement to know I was actually real and not some foreign idea they had been writing to. It really made me smile to see how thrilled they were to see their letters and special goodies I had brought them.
I was given the chance to sit down with them and answer any and all questions they had about my journey, the children in Grenada and even what kind of foods I eat. It was so humbling to see them excited to learn about a new culture. I gave their class a Grenadian flag to hang in the room, showed them some Grenadian snacks that local kids eat and then gave them some Eastern Caribbean coins to take home. I think they were happy to get some things from Grenada and I was overjoyed to share the island with them.
Sharing cultures with young children is something I find especially important because it gives kids an opportunity for exposure to ideas they most likely wouldn't get the chance to in their lives. Teachers have such a great ability to teach kids through interactive activities, just like the World Wise Schools program. Initially when I became a PCV I thought "no way, I wont ever have time for that," but now looking back, the partnership with Mark Twain Elementary has been one of the most rewarding parts of my service.
Ms. Houdyshell handing out their letters
So excited to see his letter from his new friend
Her pen pal even drew a map of Grenada
Doing a little Tootsie Roll to get warmed up
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