The Roots & Shoots Correspondence Program

Partnerships in Understanding pairs Roots & Shoots groups who want to get to know each other better to team up to tackle a common issue. You can ask to be paired with someone on the other side of the city, or on the other side of the globe.

Partner groups receive a welcome kit to get them started on getting to know each other, their cultures and ideas for common projects.

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Partners in Action

John Newbery Elementary,Wenatchee, Washington & Chance School from Fisherville, Kentucky

In November 2010, a Roots & Shoots group from John Newbery Elementary School in Wenatchee, Washington was paired with the Chance School’s Roots & Shoots group from Fisherville, Kentucky. Both groups share a passion for animal welfare and strive to create awareness about various environmental issues in their communities.

The students at John Newbery enjoy gardening, mentoring children and putting on plays for seniors. They are also extremely talented artists – just look at the mural they painted in celebration of Earth Day (below)! Students at the Chance School also possess a passion for inspiring change in their communities; raising over $1000.00 for a local wildlife sanctuary and rehabilitation center, in what was their first project initiative!

This common interest in both environmental and personal well-being has led to a meaningful partnership between the two groups, who have communicated through letters by mail. In addition to letters, John Newbery’s Roots & Shoots group coordinator Joan Qazi says they received “snowflakes cut out from construction paper, cards with ink stamps on them and pictures.”

Both groups expressed how much they enjoyed learning about their new friends; everything from what their favorite activities are to what animal companions they love and care for at home. The anticipation of receiving new letters from their pen pals was one of the best parts, and it is clear they have supported and inspired each other in various ways. The group coordinator of the Chance School Roots & Shoots, Sarah Cummins, excitedly shared the photo of the mural students at John Newbery painted during Earth Day celebrations at their school.

Seneca Group, Geneva, NY & Highland Facilitator Team from Iverness, Highland UK

The Roots & Shoots Seneca group out of Geneva, NY, was paired with a Roots & Shoots group from Highland Facilitator Team in Iverness, Highland UK. For these two groups, things got off to a bumpy start. Due to changes in customs regulations in the United States, an anticipated greeting package from Highland to Seneca was very late. Not having received confirmation of the packages arrival, the group at Highland was skeptical Seneca was even interested in a partnership to begin with. But as Seneca’s group coordinator Nan Crystal Arens explains, they managed to “sort all that out with a good dose of understanding on both sides - well within the spirit of the program!”

Like the Roots & Shoots group at Highland, students at Seneca are working on projects concerned with just about everything! Learning about plants and animals, the local environment and how to become better stewards of the environment are just a few initiatives they have taken on with enthusiasm. Highland Roots & Shoots even attended the 2010 Roots & Shoots UK Awards Ceremony, where the students not only had a chance to meet Jane Goodall but also made a 20 minute presentation about the activities they have undertaken. One can imagine how excited both groups were in getting to know one another; and after receiving the greeting packages, many e-mails and even a long distance phone call later, both groups became familiar with the projects and aspirations of the other.

While brainstorming ideas together, they found that they shared some common ground and identified complementary skills which led to a significant project both groups have taken on together. Seneca Roots & Shoots has come up with some ideas for a longer term project as well, such as a video series hosted on the web. These wonderful ideas have developed in large part due to the support each group has provided to the other. Seneca and Highland Roots & Shoots also worked together on a contribution to a JGI art auction fundraiser.

“If nothing else, it`s mutual support from a friendly cheering section. One very positive thing that has happened since we connected has been that we have really fed from each other’s energy and that has propelled us into new areas together. It's been neat.”

~ Nan Crystal Arens, Geneva, NY

This is what Partnerships in Understanding is all about!

Loreto Kids from Zug, Switzerland & NAMS from Massachussets, USA

These two groups have corresponded by old-fashioned letters, sending each other profiles and photos of their group members, along with personalized touches, such as poems and postcards.

Both groups have learned much about each others' culture - what they have in common and interesting differences. They also share their project stories and ideas!

It´s more exciting to have something real from another country and our partner group did send us beautiful poems!

~ Sophia Kohler, Switzerland

Loreto Kids preparing for their Christmas market.

Our students have exchanged letters, "I Am" poems ... and culture collages. Our partner group, Loreto Kids, has also shared photos of themselves as well as the dog they are sponsoring.

Communicating via mail has been exciting and successful. This experience is teaching the students the almost lost form of letter writing and how much fun it is to wait in a time of instant messaging as they anxiously await letters from their new pen pals.

The students are amazed at the number of languages that their pen pals speak as many of them (my students) only speak English. They are also noticing that, although they live far away, they share many things in common with their new Swiss friends.

~ Kris Wolfson, USA

Eastern Regional High School Roots & Shoots from New Jersey, USA & Gbawe Youth Club in Mallam-Accra, Ghana

"So far, I've learned the other projects the Ghana group are doing and how they conduct a successful club. It was interesting to see how an established club was working, since, it is just the beginning of the school year for us, and we are having a rocky start. It is nice to receive advice every once in a while.

Their club is extremely organized, which I admire and strive for. It was also good to see the variety of projects both of us do.

It is amazing to know that I can learn and communicate with a stranger and group from a different part of the world all because we have the same interest in being a Roots & Shoots member."

~Natalie Kittikul, Eastern Regional

"Our partnership with the Eastern Regional High School Roots & Shoots has made us understand that we are not alone. Others are doing something to make the world at peace. Eastern Regional High School Roots & Shoots is also taking actions that are contributing to the sustainable development in the coming decade."

~ Philip Kyei, Ghana