Gaudet Learning Academy students in #MiddletownRI team up with fifth graders in Addo, South Africa to break down walls and grow friendships through a penpal partnership spurred by Universal Promise.
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CONTACT: Matt Sheley at (401) 842-6543 or msheley@middletownri.com
PENPAL PARTNERSHIP
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (APRIL 10, 2023) – When Molly Allen and Jaylyona Jones first heard about the penpal project, they weren’t quite sure what to think.
The fifth graders in the Gaudet Learning Academy said there was a certain level of excitement, but how much could they have in common with fellow fifth graders half a world away in Addo, South Africa?
As it turns out, quite a bit. Recently, students in Deb Marcellino’s English Language Arts class in the Aquidneck Avenue school exchanged their first round of letters and realized they shared much more than just being the same age.
Organizers said that’s a longterm goal of the project through the Portsmouth-based nonprofit Universal Promise — to help youngsters in both places understand they are far more alike than anyone could originally appreciate.
“When I got my first letter, I couldn’t believe it,” Molly said, sitting at a table with Jaylyona and Annie Corr. “My penpal has a sister just like me. She loves reading and is totally into this project.”
“My penpal loves going to the zoo like I do and animals too,” Jaylyona said. “We both have brothers and like to cook when we can, and our classrooms are both very clean.”
The idea for the penpal partnership came about during a recent conversation between Martha T. Cummings — Founder and Executive Director of Universal Promise — and Anna Burnley, whose daughter Dottie is in Marcellino’s class.
Burnley had volunteered with Cummings in South Africa in 2012, when Universal Promise was in its infancy. She wanted to experience what Cummings had shared since her first visit in 2008.
Back then, Cummings, a career educator, asked to go to the Xhosa schools in the Addo Township. While amazed by the Xhosa culture, humor, gratitude, grit and drive, she was floored by the educational inequities, abject poverty and lack of clean water, food, shelter and security in the East Cape of South Africa. Universal Promise was founded shortly after.
Since then, Universal Promise has served more than 10,000 students, boosting clean water access from zero to 100 percent in four schools, growing language and technology mastery dramatically and facilitating other improvements. For more about the organization, visit https://www.universalpromise.org/ online.
“I was there for 10 days over 10 years ago and it was a life-changing for me,” Burnley said. “I understand we get frustrated and forget how good we have it here, but that trip forces me back to reality and to step back and focus on what’s really important.”
Speaking with Marcellino, she and co-teacher Abby Williamson were immediately on board with the penpal concept.
“Writing is such an important part of everything we do here in the classroom, but this is an opportunity to give them authentic writing that will help students see that their words have power and can impact positive change,” Marcellino said.
Their 56 students started working on letters, writing and introducing themselves to the fifth graders at St. Ignatius Primary School however they’d like. The letters were exchanged last month and each group is working on follow-ups now.
At a table one recent morning, Ryan Johnson, Camrin Noka, Nickolas Reyes and Jayzon Heslop were going over the notes they got from their penpals and each figuring out how to respond.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Jayzon said. “Here I am in Rhode Island in the United States of America and I’m making friends with someone on the other side of the world in South Africa. That’s pretty cool, if you think about it.”
“I know I want to keep writing as long as I can,” Camrin added. “If I could, I’d like to meet (my penpal). We seem to have a lot in common, and I can already tell he’s a lot of fun.”
Marcellino and Williamson said the plan was to continue the penpal experience through the end of the school year — and hopefully beyond.
Both said they can already see a difference in some students, particularly with increased empathy and more of an appreciation for what they have.
At the same time, she said it’s also opened eyes about the realities of living in Middletown, Rhode Island, versus other places where people aren’t so fortunate.
“A lot of (the students) were surprised at how much they have in common with their penpal,” Marcellino said. “One of our students who lives on a farm was excited to learn that his penpal wants to be a farmer, too. They were also amazed at how much English they know and how neat their penmanship was.”
Universal Promise has a May 1 fundraiser planned from 4-8 pm at the Mission restaurant on lower Aquidneck Avenue to help raise money for playground and recess equipment at both schools. Every dollar raised will pay for Frisbees, kickballs, jump ropes and other gear.
For more or to buy a ticket, visit https://www.universalpromise.org/gaudet. Ticket sales close on April 30 at noon.
“My work in South Africa affects me daily,” Cummings said. “The Xhosa have shown me how to live more in the moment, redefine what a crisis is, and be more mindful of the privileges I take for granted. If through this penpal project, we move a few students, value their empathy, expand their worlds, and inspire someone to pursue a life helping others, then I will consider this a resounding success.”
Document Link: https://www.middletownri.com/DocumentCenter/View/8386/NYCU-Penpal