Building Friendships Across Continents

Penpals - Connecting London & Malawi 

For the third year running, students at the Jeannine Manuel School in London are continuing a beautiful tradition—writing letters to their penpals from the Chifundo Foundation in Malawi!

This exchange is more than just a writing project—it’s a powerful way for young people to build friendships across borders, share stories from their lives, and learn about each other’s cultures. Through the simple act of letter-writing, students are gaining a deeper understanding of the world and the value of empathy and connection.

What’s especially heartwarming is seeing the students picking up a few words in Chichewa, Malawi’s national language—proving that curiosity, kindness, and communication go hand in hand.

These letters spark joy on both sides and are a meaningful reminder of the human connections at the core of Chifundo’s mission.

Want to start a penpal project at your school or community group? We’d love to hear from you. Visit www.chifundo.org to learn more about our education and cultural exchange initiatives.