Am putting into motion another activity for the Lil' Sistas in the Lil' Sistas Project and am expanding it to incorporate a special group of amazing girls at a boxing club in Toronto, Canada. Together, with their coach, we're looking into creating a pen pal program.
I'm looking to launch it with my Lil' Sistas in Antipolo because they're older than those I coach in BGC/Makati and more of them speak English too. In Antipolo, there are 50 Lil' Sistas but I think maybe only half of them will participate, at first that is. The idea is to match one girl in Canada with one Lil' Sista here in the Philippines and make them pen pals. I don't know if I'll call the girls in Canada Lil' Sistas or come up with another name. They're of similar age though.
It's still very much an idea in the rough but today I got confirmation from the coach in Canada that she's very much interested in participating so I'm absolutely thrilled.
The next step is to come up with a pen pal program outline, a proposal, and then present it to the Center of Hope for their approval. After that, the next step would be to see how many of the Lil' Sistas here would like to participate.
My plan this week is to get this all prepared.
I for one am all about pen pals. I used to have a pen pal growing up, a boy in Africa, and I absolutely loved getting and sending mail. I remember once I sent him a present. I wrapped it up in pretty wrapping paper and then I was later told that he took the wrapping paper and decorated his bedroom wall with it, as if it were wallpaper. I thought that was so cute but funny.
I want the Lil' Sistas to have experiences like this -- memories that will stick with them, encourage them, and help shape them into the women they'll become.
The idea will be that every time I go to coach them in the Lil' Pow Boxing Class, they'll hand me whatever letters they've written for their pen pal and I'll bring with me any letters sent from Canada. I think it'd build up so much momentum and excitement among them and those who didn't initially sign up to participate at the start because of maybe a lack of interest and/or lack of English, might be further encouraged and want to join in. I see nothing but awesomeness out of this situation and I'm super excited to propel this forward. Now to raise money or get donations to pay for the monthly mailing fees.
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