Child Asks for a Book

The parent group at Kalanso sent us on a trip with the directors of the school to visit Timbuktu. While there, a child walked up to me and asked me for the small book I had in my hand.  Wow!  What a reminder that the idea of exchanging stories can be powerful.  However, not only is it important to provide stories to schools, but we need to have multiple copies of stories to be able to give to children on the street who may never have owned their own book.  

Stories given to the English Department at Kalanso

Student stories that were published this year were given to the English Department at Kalanso School.  Because it was so close to the end of the school year, the stories were not made a part of the current lessons.  However, they will be used next school year with the students as we continue exchanging stories.  

The English Department especially requested dialogues with recordings to use with students.  They stated that it would be a great advantage for their students to hear American young people reading the dialogues they write.  

Students from Japan Join in with the Story Exchange!

A few students from Seisen International School in Tokyo, Japan, sent stories to Kids 4 Kids to share with children in Bamako, Mali during the summer of 2009.  Kids from Atlanta, Bamako, Lilongwe, and Tokyo can learn more about each other through reading original stories!  

Building story connections improve literacy skills as well as build interest about children from across the world. 

2009 Kids 4 Kids Publishing goes to Mali!

Lalla Dicko and Tidiane Fofana from Kalanso Espace Education in Bamako, Mali visited Brandon Elementary during the Fall of 2008 for a 5 week-cultural and educational immersion experience.  This summer, 2009, two teachers from Brandon will travel to Mali for a an immersion experience in Bamako, Mali.  The teachers from Atlanta will carry Kids 4 Kids stories with them to share with kids in Bamako.  Kids at Kalanso are already writing stories to share with their American friends in Atlanta.  

Kids 4 Kids Publishing Continues!

Armed with stories from Malawi, we will now publish the stories to share with the children back in the U.S.  We will also have the kids back in the U.S. continue writing stories to make into new books to bring back to Malawi during the summer of 2009!

If you would like to join us in publishing books for Malawi or any other place - let us know! 

The Children from Children with Hope and Destiny

I spent much of my time with the  children from CHAD (Children with Hope and Destiny).  They loved the Kids 4 Kids books I brought.  They wrote stories to send back to the US, and they developed their love of telling stories.

Coming from difficult backgrounds, they didn't the luxury of having stories told to them. 

The CHAD kids also enjoyed spending time drawing pictures.  We weren't able to connect the pictures to their stories, but this always gives us a something to work toward next year!

Chisomo Nursery School In Action!