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Penpal As A Way of Cultural Exchange

Years ago when I was a kid, my mother gave me a magazine named “Bobo, Majalah Anak-Anak” (translated: Bobo, Kids’ Magazine). Bobo introduced me to a penpal activity. There was a page named “Sahabat Pena” (=penpals) where you can find penpal with their address, hobbies, and age. Kids could choose someone there to be their penpals.
I made this postcard from Indonesia traditional fabrics to be delivered to my son's penpalI made this postcard from Indonesia traditional fabrics to be delivered to my son's penpal
Me too, mostly, I chose penpals from outside Java, I chose from Sumatera, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, and Timor. I remember, I was so happy when received letters from my penpals. I opened the mail, read it, wrote to her, and sent my mail at the post office.
Penpals are more than sending letters. When I read a letter, I learned about the way my penpal lives, her family, her house, her cultures. I know that there is a place named “Tual” at Kepulauan Aru (Indonesia) from my penpal who live there! Amazing! I learned geography from penpals activity.
I also like the letter itself, the paper is so fragrance, and sometimes my penpal send me a souvenir! A small souvenir such as pencil eraser. I also like to collect the stamps that I got from the mail. Although it takes weeks to receive a letter, penpals become my happy childhood memory.
Today, when the internet becomes the main human needs, people send mail digitally. No need stamps, envelope, and stationery. And after you click the “Send” button, your friend will instantly read your letter and reply, and in minutes you can read her writing and see her photos. Technology helps us closer to our penpals.

Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop

But, I think we still need to enhance our penpals relationship. My son has a penpal from overseas, I suggest him to send a cultural souvenir that easy to send and doesn’t need much shipping cost. I have an idea about some pieces of Indonesian traditional fabric cut 10 x 10 cm. I have a lot of fabric scrap from my sewing projects, so my son will have enough fabric pieces to give to his penpal. I believe his penpal will love the pieces of Indonesian traditional fabric. You can see the picture of the postcard with Indonesian traditional fabrics on top of this post. By this way, penpal activity can be a cultural exchange activity.
Sending cultural souvenir for penpalsThe Postcard
You can read other posts about Penpals from Multicultural Kid Blogs here:
Why Everyone Should Have A Pen pal?
Pen Pals Open The World, Keep Friends Close And Bring Joy
5 Things Having A Penpal Has Taught Me
How Having Penpals Helped Me Blog

 

Comments   

+1 #3 Jo 2016-05-16 13:40
This post card is beautiful! It is such a treat nowadays to get actual mail. I think this will be treasured by your son's penpal. What a great idea for cross-cultural exchange.
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0 #2 Maria 2016-05-11 23:00
Quoting Crystal:
Penpals are a wonderful way for children (and adults) to learn about the world. I've had penpals since I was 11, and my children are also wanting to exchange letters as they see me writing and sending little gifts.
Cultural exchanges are always so fun and interesting!
If you'd ever like to exchange with Northern Ireland, please send me an email.


Wow, Crystal! I would love to! I'll send you email today.
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+1 #1 Crystal 2016-05-10 13:33
Penpals are a wonderful way for children (and adults) to learn about the world. I've had penpals since I was 11, and my children are also wanting to exchange letters as they see me writing and sending little gifts.
Cultural exchanges are always so fun and interesting!
If you'd ever like to exchange with Northern Ireland, please send me an email.
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