Become a Digital Penpal

"Dear beloved Africa Simuka Youth:

As the festive season approaches, I wanted to take a moment to send love, comfort, and warm wishes. You are not alone, and you are deeply cared for. I hope this letter finds you surrounded by loved ones and filled with joy.

Even in challenging times, remember that you are strong, resilient, and loved. May this Christmas bring you joy, peace and happiness beyond measure. You deserve all the love and happiness the world has to offer. Keep shining your light!"

With love and best wishes,

Garikayi Sinati

"Dear Friend:

Warm greetings from Harare, Zimbabwe. I’m honoured to be writing to you through this Digital Penpal programme. I believe deeply in learning, growth, and the power of human connection to bring hope and purpose. My own journey has taught me that life is not about avoiding challenges, but about learning from them. There were times when I doubted myself or felt unsure about the future, yet every setback became a lesson that pushed me to grow stronger and dream bigger.

I discovered that you don’t have to be perfect to begin — you just have to start, right where you are, with what you have. I want you to always remember that your dreams are valid, your voice matters, and your story has meaning. The world needs what only you can give. I look forward to hearing your story and to walking this journey of encouragement and growth together." 

With warmth and hope, 

Malon

"Dear Friend:

I hope you are doing well. I would like to add that even if the world seems overwhelming, remember this journey is one of curiosity and challenges. When I reflect on my teenage years in Bhubaneswar, a small city in India, I recall being a curious kid fascinated by science and its solutions. I was a kid with questions, but it was difficult to fit in, especially when self-doubt crept in and opportunities were out of reach. 

But one thing that kept me going was the idea of helping others. Even if it was something small like tutoring classmates, joining community projects, or making someone smile. I found joy in every little success, which helped build my confidence. Over time, they became my guiding values. I learnt that the biggest dreams start with small steps and setbacks can be the stepping stones. 

No matter where it begins, your journey is important. Your interests and ideas have the power to change lives. Be curious and keep reaching out. Believe in your potential, celebrate every win."

With loads of encouragement, 

Anna

"To The Youth of Simuka Africa:

May this letter find you in good health & spirits. For my part, I would like to talk to you about being unwanted and unloved. I was both of these things as a child. My biological parents did not want to be parents, especially not to a little girl. I was raised elsewhere without them in a home with violence. At school, there were also bullies of all sorts. Sometimes, it felt like there was no safe space for me at all in this world. 

But you know something? I decided that if the world would not make space for me, it simply meant I had to make space for myself. I also came to understand that seeking love from others would always end badly if I did not learn to love and respect myself first. So I turned my mind towards pursuing an education, building a career and traveling. I turned my heart toward finding inner peace and healing. I became a writer to vent, an artist to heal, and a humanitarian to help others. And somewhere along the way, it became amazing to exist in this skin.

So my advice is to not allow the tragedy and hardship in your life to define who you are. There's only one you, which means you have something unique to offer this world that it has not seen before. Don't wait for others to say, "You are worth something." Instead, know that you are priceless, a rare diamond polishing itself with life lessons to shine. And when you finish all that polishing, the world will know just how incredible you are. But I know that about you already. I just wanted to remind you so that you always remember!"

With Love, Light & Peace,

M.

"Dear Young Change Maker:

I hope this message finds you smiling, even if life isn’t perfect right now. I want to share a bit about my own journey because I know what it’s like to grow up with dreams that sometimes feel too big for the space you’re in. When I was a teenager, life wasn’t always easy. There were moments of self-doubt, times when I thought my skin tone was not good enough, and days when I wondered if my voice really mattered. 

But even in those moments, I found strength in small things the encouragement of a teacher, the support of friends and the hope that one day I would encourage other dark-skinned girls for the better. What inspired me to keep going was that I learned that every challenge was shaping me into someone stronger, wiser, and more compassionate. I realized that progress begins with believing in yourself, even when no one else does. It means loving everything about YOU and constantly looking into the mirror without shame. 

And that’s what I want to remind you of today: You are capable. You are enough. You are part of something bigger, a generation full of creativity, courage, and purpose. Your ideas, your kindness, and your resilience can light the way for others. No matter where you come from, what you’re facing, what you look like, keep learning. Keep trying. Keep dreaming. Your story matters, and your journey will inspire others one day."

With hope & encouragement, 

Tanatswa

"Hello:

My life as a teenager was bearable. I was a quiet girl who thrived academically. What inspired to keep me going was prayer and reading novels on my free time. It kept me from trouble."

Always, 

Fadzai

"Dearest friend: 

I hope this message receives you in well spirit and health. I know things appear undesirable and down right destitute at times in life, however I want to share with you how I persevered through my teenage chapters despite on-going depression and financial hardship. What truly led me to have faith and see a future for myself was to remain active in my community and sharing my internal doubts with trusted adult and friends. I was an athlete and staying focused on arts by way of theatre and dance, music through a marching ensemble along with physical health via volleyball, basketball and track & field, I was able to find a way to forget the things that were out of my control and keep my mind on things that made me excited to get up and keep going.

As I write this letter, I shed a tear as I am challenged this day to recall and relive some of the hardest times in my life. I was raised with a single parent household in an underserved and underrepresented community that systemically embedded socio-economic disparities. So what inspired me to keep going was the audacity to pray for myself, even if I was not versed in scripture. I dreamed of the life I wanted and took each day by the reigns with purpose and intention. I wanted to give my all to each endeavor and hoped it would lead me to a brighter future....and that my friend did come to pass.

I am here this moment able to testify to you that this day shall not defeat you and neither will the next. Keep your eyes on your immediate goals now and watch how years of small achievements culminated into the life I imagined at your age. Just remember you are not alone."

Ever in my thoughts and prayers, 

Your Big Sister Leslie

"Dear Girls: 

Coming from a traditional background where education was often out of reach for women, I’ve come to deeply appreciate its transformative power. Though I now live in the UK and work as a teacher in an international school in Bangkok, my journey here has been anything but easy — and I want to share it with you, so you know that you are not alone. 

I was born in Afghanistan, where life for girls and women is filled with challenges, inequality, and often, silence. At the age of five, my family and I were fortunate enough to move to the UK in search of a better future. But starting over was hard. We didn’t speak a word of English, and we had almost no money. 

My father worked 4 to 5 jobs a day — as a cab driver, food delivery man, servant — anything to provide for us. I watched him work with strength and quiet sacrifice, and I carry that determination with me every day.  My mother was married at the age of 17 and moved in with in-laws in a strict and traditional household. She faced injustice and gender inequality, but she fought hard — for herself, and for her children. She made sure we grew up with love, strength, and the chance to dream beyond the limits of tradition.

Even as a teenager, I faced inequality within my own family — different expectations for me compared to my brother. And when I decided I wanted to go to university and live away from home, it caused a lot of tension. My father didn’t agree with my ideas. He wanted a different life for me — one that mirrored the lives of the women before me. 

School was another challenge. I was the only Asian girl in my class and was often bullied and excluded. I had no friends for a long time and felt like I didn’t belong. But I never gave up. I believed in my future, and I was lucky to have teachers who believed in me too — who saw my potential even when I couldn’t see it in myself. 

But I stood firm. I challenged those expectations, even when it was painful, and I kept fighting for the life I knew I wanted. Today, at 31, I live far from home and teach in Bangkok. I’ve carved out a life that reflects my values, not someone else’s. Do I still doubt myself sometimes? Of course. We all do. And yes, society will always have something to say. But here’s what I’ve learned: you have to believe in yourself, even when no one else does. You have to find the light inside you and protect it fiercely. 

I hope this letter reminds you that you are stronger than your circumstances. No matter what others expect of you, your dreams matter. Your voice matters. There is beauty in the struggle, and there is strength in choosing your own path — even when it’s hard, even when it’s lonely. So don’t give up. You have a bright future ahead of you. Life will have its ups and downs, but it is still beautiful — and so are you."

With love and strength, 

Ashima