I have just returned from an educational stay in South Africa where I taught in a colored township. During my stay in South Africa I realized how small the world is becoming. As the world gets smaller and more connected, we need to encourage our students to embrace diversity and understand different cultures. Many of my students in South Africa were severely impoverished with hopes and dreams. Everyday my students in South Africa experience poverty, hardship, abuse and so much more. Therefore I had the idea to do something different and special for students. I want to create a penpal program to connect students in the United States with students in South Africa. Through this program students can share ideas, dreams and photographs with each other. This program will be called Positive Strokes and will intertwine multicultural learning and diversity while opening students’ eyes to the world. Students can learn how and what they can do to give back to their communities or international communities. Positive Strokes will help to create active citizens, encourage critical thinking and analytical skills. Students will develop an awareness of self and of others. I am very dedicated to making this program work and would be grateful for any contributions. In order to work, Positive Strokes needs donations of postage, paper, pens, pencils and envelopes. I also hope for two digital cameras to send pictures of penpals.

My program brings awareness to students across the world about others. It will encourage others to develop a sense of self and a sense of others.

Upon an educational trip to South Africa, I learned about many injustices and hardships so many people have to face. I worked with families that live on less than a dollar a day. During my six week stay, I taught high school students about HIV/AIDS, rape, teen pregnancy, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, TB, alcohol abuse, STIs and other issues which are not talked about in South Africa. My students in South Africa were so eager to learn. It was very hard leaving them to come back to America. My project is a penpal program called "Positive Strokes." I want more students in America to know what is going on in the rest of the world. I have started a program which connects my students in South Africa to students in America by use of writing and letters. So far, I have talked to many people in America about this project. My principal at the school in South Africa is very excited about the program. Currently I am waiting on funds to get the program started. People in South Africa do not have money to send postage, therefore I am fundraising to help them. I am presenting to local charities about this program. I am also collecting supplies such as pens, pencils, paper and envelopes from teachers cleaning out their classrooms for summer. Students here in America who are aware of this program are very excited about it and want to learn more about the people and students in South Africa.

It helps others by educating them about issues throughout the world.