Eastbury School Pen Pal Project
08-09-2008
Eastbury School in Barking has become a very popular school as the majority of its students transition from local primary schools, with whom close links are tied. The students attending Eastbury come from a variety of different social and cultural backgrounds perfectly aligning with this unique and exciting pen pal initiative offering students at the school the opportunity to form their own ties with students of a similar age across the world in South Africa in terms of fashion and design.
"The Pen Pal project involves some of our students directly corresponding with students studying design in South Africa and exploring each others lifestyles. Eastbury is such an exciting vibrant school and we have a great deal to share. This new link with the South African Education Fashion Industry has provided our students with fabulous opportunities and great exposure to what is going on in fashion and with young people around the world. The Pen Pal exchange gives them a new and varied level of interaction deepening their understanding of different cultures, lifestyles and global education. I'm sure this project will be really exciting for them and we are looking forward to the great things that will develop in this partnership.
Some of our students have already been communicating with the students from South Africa recently who have very different backgrounds from them but at the same time they must be interested in so many of the same things!! Our students have been quite chuffed about interacting with others teenagers their age, particularly as South Africa is culturally very different and they will be able to learn a great deal from exchanging information. It's a project that will really develop their understanding of lifestyles around the world and very different to previous projects they have been involved in. "
Miss Kumari – Head of Textiles
A selection of students participating in the Pen Pal initiative have shared the first communicative step to students in South Africa with Fashion Capital, here are examples of some of the touched base topics:
Dear Pen Pal,
Hi my name is Zeinab Maalow and I am half Somalian (in Africa), a quarter Yemen (an Arab country in Asia) and a quarter Turkish in Europe. I'm Muslim. I live in England, London, in a town called Hackney. I go to Eastbury Comprehensive School. What about you?
I like listening to music, going out and partying. I'm really into fashion hopefully I want to model as a backup for my career.
But my aim is to make a difference in this world by helping others. I have always been brought up by parents, especially my mum, to give to others who are needier than me. So when I grow and I have a business of my own I will always make sure to give money to the third world countries. But before that I wish to go to Africa, because I haven't been there and to do volunteer work. What about you? What do you want to do in your future?
The reason I'm doing this pen pal project is because I'm interested in meeting new people and I really love the fact that it's like having a little brother or sister overseas.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity and I'll speak to you another time.
~ Love from Zeinab ~
X x x
Dear Pen Pal,
I'm just writing to check on how you are doing. How's the weather? In London it usually very cold compared to Africa. I hope school is going well. My name is Jennifer and I am 14 years old. I am into dancing and listening to music such as R&B and hip-hop.
I will be interested in knowing what types of things you are interested in e.g. hobbies, what you do in your spare time. I mostly spend my time going out with my friends to the cinema or spending time in the park. I come from Nigeria, where the culture is very important to them. As a person I stay very close to my friends. I have a best friend called Hamza. Do you have any best friends?
I hope to be receiving a reply from you soon.
Regards,
Jennifer Tata
Dear Penpal,
My name is Mubarakat but you can call me Yemi. I am 14 years old and I come from Nigeria. I'm Muslim. I live in England, London and I go to Eastbury Comprehensive School. What about you?
My dream is to become a performer. I'm interested in topics such as music, sports, drama and lots more….My hobbies are making music and dances, going out and taking part in sport events and charity runs.
The reason why I'm taking part in this pen pal project is because I interested in talking to younger children and telling them about my life in England.
Ps- Hope to talk to you soon
Bye, Yemi
Dear Pen Pal,
Hi, my name is Hamza. I am 14 years old. I am from a country called Eritrea. It is part of east Africa, to the north of South Africa.
Currently I am in year nine, and have chosen my options for my GCSE's. I chose BTEC Sport because I enjoy sports and am good at it. Also I chose Double Science.
My Hobby is football. I play for a team called Ascot united. I enjoy it.
I also go out with my friends in my spare time.
I am interested in knowing more about you so hopefully you will reply to this message and tell me a bit about yourself.
Yours Sincerely,
Hamza Abubaker
Quotes from students:
"I am taking part in the pen pal project to discover new things. This will be a new experience to me as I am African however I have never been to Africa. This will be an exciting project as it will help give us extra confidence. It will help us to learn things about others lives like emotions, personal experiences and cultures". Zeinab Maalow – Year 9
"I think this project is exciting because it gives you the opportunity to meet new people. This also leads to exploring their culture and learning new things". Jennifer Tata – Year 9
