PEN PAL INITIATIVE
College for Cambodia currently operates a pen-pal system with our partner organization Cambodian Children's Fund. Every two weeks, children at the organization exchange letters with students at Phillips Academy Andover and engage in meaningful discussions regarding their perspective experiences across the Pacific. The pen pal system aims to inspire these Cambodian students through our experiences at Andover. By hearing about interesting class discussions, lessons learned, current events and fascinating novels directly from an Andover student, Cambodian high schoolers can be vastly inspired and motivated. This is an extremely specific way that Andover students can help those in Cambodia.
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By corresponding with a Cambodian pen pal, Andover students also have the invaluable opportunity to learn and see things from different perspectives. We are truly able to escape our "Andover bubbles" and are also motivated by the Cambodian students' passions for learning.
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[sample excerpt of pen palling]
Date: July 12, 2017
Dear Erica,
I hope you are doing very well. I miss you a lot. I am very happy when I see the postcard from you. Thank you so much to you and your friends for wishing me. I wish you all the best of luck and success. Can you tell me? Who is Navin and where is he from? I think he lives in Cambodia.
Two weeks ago I went on school trip to Chamkar Pring Park with my teachers and my classmates. It was so much fun. There I enjoyed watching stone animals, fishes, fountains, natural view and many drawing on the wall. I also enjoyed playing some fun games, playing merry go round, riding on the train and dancing. In the morning we had bread and coke. In the afternoon we had a nice lunch. I hope I can go on another trip again soon. Here is photo of me and my friends; I took it on school trip day. I hope you like seeing it.
My school is doing very well. Recently, I learnt about animals. Here are some words I want to share with you. Please enjoy reading them below:
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Swan - Tortoise - Camel
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Frog - Bee - Polar bear
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Panda - Elephant - Hippo
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Spider - Mouse - Cat.
What is your favorite animal? For me, I like panda.
I hope to hear back from you soon.
I love you and I miss you a lot, stay well.
I wish you and your family a nice time and good health.
BIG HUGS & LOVES,
Channa
Erica and Channa have been pen pals since September 2016
[sample excerpt of pen palling]
Dear: Derek,
Hello!!!! I am so happy to hear your email. Did you visit any place during your holiday?? I feel so excited to hear that you have tried Khmer Food. I really want to see you soon In Cambodia for your holiday I also can be your guide… On 8 may [we] will celebrate the event call (Morality education). During the event CCF also invite the monk in other to make the kids know clearly about their parents we also have monk blessing during the event. When is your birthday??? On 29- May is my birthday. It really fast I can’t believe it
I hope you will have good time with your study friends and family.
Hope to hear from you soon!
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Best wish,
Boren
(from left) Ko Boren and Derek Jiang (pen pals since October 2015)
Over the past two summers (2016, 2017), current CFC board members Derek Jiang '18, Navin Kheth '18, Rachel Kindangen '18, and Lin Gan '19 were able to meet with their pen pals in Phnom Penh!
