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Armonk to Africa
Armonk to Africa is a cultural exchange and traditional letter writing program whose mission is to create opportunities for more authentic connections for children. Specifically, Armonk to Africa connects elementary age children in Armonk, NY with schools in Tanzania, Africa. Armonk to Africa is designed intentionally so that children can experience the joy of making real connections without the use of technology. In addition to sharing letters with their new friends, the program introduces children to cultural differences such as Swahili words, African foods and learning about life in Tanzania.
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Food For Thought seeks to raise money for food and water for our new Armonk to Africa friends in Tanzania.
Building Friendships
Using thoughtfully crafted templates, children exchange letters with their new friends. Letters are designed to teach one another about a different culture but also to shed light on the things we all share in common.
Cultural Learning
The program broadens a child's mind by exposing them to communities beyond their own. From language and food to lifestyle and traditions, students gain a new understanding of their friends across the world.
About Me
Inspired by my Aunt Monica, who lives and works in Africa, I created Armonk to Africa because I wanted to create opportunities for children to get to know a bigger world than their own and make authentic connections.
Armonk to Africa brings together children from my hometown of Armonk, NY, and children in Tanzania, Africa to create “friendship schools”. From their classrooms across an ocean, these children transcend the distances between them by exchanging letters designed to help them learn and understand one another. In today's society, children in the United States are too often missing out on making real connections with others because of their reliance on technology. Armonk to Africa provides a fun and engaging program without the use of technology.
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The Esilalei School in Tanzania is our first friendship school. The school has over 600 students from pre-school to class seven and 8 teachers. The school’s primary language is Swahili. It is a located in an impoverished region where children often go without food and water and school is located far from their homes. I created Food for Thought because everyone deserves access to food and water. I know that providing food and water every day is going to help these children have a happier and healthier life.
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Tyler Bond