Connecting kids in America with kids in East Africa while promoting global environmental awareness.
Whenever I visit schools in Africa, the kids hold my hand and sing songs of welcome, proudly showing the trees they have planted, and the litter they have cleaned from the surrounding areas. They always request one thing:”Please tell kids in America we want to be in touch with them.” The world internet community has left behind these children who live in remote villages, with little access to computers, the internet, or TV. But they are eager to connect. It’s a simple request, but logistically complicated to achieve. Africa Inside’s program Notes ‘N Totes makes the connection through cultural boxes and pen pal letters. Children in both countries make boxes with symbols, or write notes to explain their world and environmental concerns and solutions. The letters and boxes are exchanged during my semi-annual trips to Africa. Letters from America are presented in re-useable tote bags (from America) emphasizing our concern about plastic bags.
Many African adults who are now working for global organizations tell me one of the things that changed their life was a mentor or pen pal. Connection. It is a powerful gift that can turn into a life long friendship. A simple idea that can be life changing.
Many of the boys wanted to be penpals with girls in the US and many of the girls in Africa wanted boys for penpals. 
Adelante Charter/Michael Macioce Burka Primary /Salma Msuya
Peabody/Carol Margerum & Mrs. Zuchowicz Naura Priimary /Sariah Munuo
“I love this “notes and totes project”. Not only do the students in Tanzania receive a tote bag, they receive a letter from us who live in America. We get to share our ideas about the environment and we also learn about each other. Our lives are so different: they don’t name their pets whereas we do and their school structure is different from ours. Our houses are mansions compared to theirs and they easily get excited when they are given a pencil. Just one pencil! Yet these African kids are so caring that I’d like to write to them on a daily basis. I’m sure they would enjoy that as well. It’s only natural that we all care about the environment and we want to share our ideas on it. I highly enjoyed this project.” Quote from Danae at Los Olivos School
To be involved with our next exchange, August 2012, please call:
what some of th estudents and teachers have said:
Giansia from Arusha wrote this comment:”The project was real amazing.I had never seen a person who cares and dare to waste his or her time only because she wants to bring people together.I am very proud of you because you have give people a good motivation on how to take care of environment,by avoiding uses of plastic bags,cutting down trees and all pollutants.Good job Lori!!!”
“Well done Lori i am Elviro, a students of st. Joseph Arusha Tanzania i am very happy to see that you have try to let us be closer with the kids of abroad where by we were able to see different activities which were very interesting and marvelous.”
“What an exciting day we had in our service learning class at Crane School yesterday, when Lori came to visit! Lori just returned from her trip to Tanzania where she visited a school and dropped off the reusable totes we collected and also the personal notes our students wrote last month for project “Note and Tote”. 31 of our bags were given to children in Tanzania, with a letter inside each one written by one of our 6th graders.
“Lori brought back a personal letter for each 6th grader, written by a 6th grader in Arusha, Tanzania. It was an uplifting and truly memorable experience for all of us. Each letter was heartfelt and talked about life in Arusha and what these children value. They also talked a lot about their Roots and Shoots projects. Lori has a video to show us (in about a month) of the children in Tanzania receiving and reading our letters to them, and today she recorded our students receiving and reading their letters, which she will eventually show to the children in Tanzania. Everyone is excited about writing back to their new pen pal. Students are busy collecting photos to add to the letters this time.”
Janey Cohen
Crane School
I’ve picked up the Notes from the 6th graders from Adalante Charter in Santa Barbara and the teens from the Wilderness Youth Project. They are all excited about sending these off and hearing back from their Tanzanian peers. Thank you so much, Lori!!
Lori,
you have a TRUE GIFT for sharing your experiences! Your recent post is so fresh, personal, insightful, respectful and loving. Thank you so much!! This project is amazing!
Thanks Cosmas for all you did to help make this happen in Tanzania. We made a great team. And thanks for your comments that made on the posting of this project. I have copied them here “The project was the amazing one, because the kids here in africa were inspired by Lori’s ideal of bringing the young and adults togather to discuss the issue of environment through hand written and well drawn diagrams to express knowledge and skills towards the environment. Good job lori for being a role model fo educating people all over the world about the environmental issues in making the world a better place for all of us to live.” Cosmas Haule
Thanks Cosmas for all you did to help make this happen in Tanzania. We made a great team. And thanks for your comments that made on the posting of this project. I have copied them here “The project was the amazing one, because the kids here in africa were inspired by Lori’s ideal of bringing the young and adults togather to discuss the issue of environment through hand written and well drawn diagrams to express knowledge and skills towards the environment. Good job lori for being a role model fo educating people all over the world about the environmental issues in making the world a better place for all of us to live.” Cosmas Haule