Global One to One (D.B.A. Project Peacepal)

I became aware of Project PeacePal 11 years ago when the founder and director, Sarah Wilkensen contacted me. I began volunteering for the organization by processing the amazing hand-written letters coming from school children in various parts of Africa. I fell in love with PeacePal immediately. I am a high school Librarian and started an after school PeacePal club 11 years ago at my school. The students write letters to their PeacePals around the world, as Sarah has greatly expanded locations and also do volunteer projects. One of the most wonderful things I have noticed through the years is that after we get kids started on volunteer projects we know exist, they soon find others that interest them as well. Caring and sharing grows when planed with love. I am so proud to be a part of this organization.

I worked and also volunteered with the charity and it is a great organization run by an exceptional woman. Sarah Wilkinson is a rare human being that brings the best out in people. Her organization has given tens of thousands of school children, throughout the world, the opportunity to engage with each other positively. With the current situation of people closing themselves off and building walls, Sarah's organization is not only building bridges between cultures but a foundation of trust between cultures as well.

As the former President of the board, I have always been in awe of the entire team’s dedication to the cause of connecting students across the globe to further a deeper understanding of other people and cultures beyond stereotypes and sound bites. Operating on a shoestring budget but delivering well above its weight in success after success, year after year. The students, teachers and parents involved in this endeavor have helped Global One to One remain New Mexico’s best educational charity...I hope if you are reading this you’ll check it out further, as you will not be disappointed!

Letter writing program is loved by students. My students are so excited.

This organization helps students from the U.S. connect and engage with students in other countries. There are three great programs that this program uses to accomplish this. Connect one to one, Engage one to one and Innovate one to one.

It has been my pleasure to work with them on the Innovate one to one program. Students from Kenya and India worked with students from the U.S. on several STEM related projects and interacted with each other with letters and video

This is a fantastic program and it evolves and grows every school year. From letter exchanges to STEM collaboration, Global One to One has helped thousands of students all around the globe to connect with one another for meaningful intercultural exchange. It is also effectively a literacy program, teaching its enrollees how to write letters.

I love Global One to One.

Global 1 to 1 helps children in the US and several foreign countries to better communicate with and understand one another while developing technological skills, leadership traits, and writing ability.

Project Peacepal is a great nonprofit that help me and others. It also provided means for communication for people in countries around the world. Which, as a result, connected many in more than one way.

I have been a part of Project Peacepal for almost 10 years. After graduating from college, where Peace Studies had been one of my focuses, I was contacted by Sarah Wilkenson, the founder of PeacePal. I began volunteering in the office and then helped to work on the curriculum for the program. When I became the librarian for La Cueva High School I started an after school PeacePal club. This group works on fund raising and participates in letter writing. The students learn about the culture and customs of their Peacepals from one another, rather then from a teacher lecturing. The one to one contact has a huge impact on the students who wait anxiously for each return letter from their new friends. They learn that all people have the same basic needs; food, shelter and love. They find that the different cultures and traditions are interesting rather than strange or scary. They learn difference is good and can be respected rather than feared. Connecting students on a one to one basis has a lasting positive effect on our children and helps to bring us together globally. PeacePal changes students lives for the better and many who join the club participate the entire 4 years. This program has also made the kids more aware of the needs of the people in their own community and has inspired my groups to work with homeless students at one of our elementary schools. PeacePal is a wonderful program and is one of the positive pieces of the puzzle of education, respect and service for students world-wide.

This is a true grassroots organization started by a woman with a passion for peace and maintained over the years by herself and others who share her vision and hope. A main premise is that by promoting connections, communication, and understanding between students in different countries we can build a more peaceful society. The kids love the interaction and the organization is very supportive and gives you everything you need to have a great experience. A+ for the concept and for the people who have very unselfishly given their time and talent to make it successful.

Amazing organization, with the selfless goal of promoting Peace by communication! What a simple idea and yet would have the move profound effect to the world and individuals, if we'd only be willing to listen and talk. Couldn't be more proud of the efforts of the group to educate our youths and influence our future as a global society. :)

I had the privilege of interning for this nonprofit and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Being surrounded by such passionate individuals that want to make a difference was inspiring. The work they do will change the world!

Global One to One is an excellent organization. It helps young people to develop intercultural communication skills and learn about different cultures. I really enjoy working with the staff there.

Great ideas for helping young people learn how to better communicate, appreciate peaceful interaction and mutual respect, and help others.
Good, selfless people working for the organization too.

I have thoroughly enjoyed serving on the Board of Global One to One. My fellow board members are friendly and kind individuals. Before becoming a Board Member, I served as a volunteer for Global One to One as a High School student and learned many valuable leadership skills and ideas. I am very happy to continue working with Global One to One because I strongly believe we are effectively helping and inspiring the individuals we work with. Through our letter writing program aimed at students, we are focusing on the leaders of the future and helping them create meaningful connections with individuals across the world. I hope this review encourages others to check out the program!

Global One to One's mission is to "Strengthen global connections through one to one communication" by creating a network of teachers and students who want to connect with students around the global on a personal level. This is accomplished through the letter writing campaign, the UNESCO clubs, and the robotics program. I became involved with Global One to One because I believe learning to respect, appreciate, and celebrate our various and different cultures is an important step to a more peaceful world.

A Great organization that gives back to the community and makes a vital difference in the world. I volunteered with Global a few times over the past couple years and I can tell you they are some of the most passionate people about effecting positive change in the world.

Global One to One is the first of its kind that I came across during my search to do more meaningful work. I was instantly attracted once I discovered that the organization's main goal is to help future leaders learn about tolerance and cultural differences to eventually develop a dialogue that can change the way the people of the earth interact on a daily basis. With this organization, communication is a major key and as someone who knows the importance of communicating, I can honestly say that it is one of the best proactive programs that seeks to promote unity and relationships. I've seen children's letters crafted by children in the penpal program. They are genuine and sincere and I think that's what is needed in order for people to get along and get past racial or cultural differences and to a point where they can instead focus on more important things like science, environment and business.

Global One to One teaches valuable skills and is a unique way for kids to get involved in something that will not only give them a different perspective, but that can also change the perspective of the world as they grow into the leaders that Global One to One aims to mold.

A forward-thinking organization that promotes intercultural communication and understanding, productive assistance, student responsibility, and even writing skills. The group reaches out to students from a variety of economic and social backgrounds in the United States and connects them with students from around the globe.

Global One to One is an excellent non-profit that is run by some of the most compassionate and hard working individuals that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting! As an intern, I was able to develop my skills and grow as a professional while also getting to give back to my global community. It was so inspiring to read the letters written by students from Albuquerque and across the world and to see the meaningful connections that were being made. I can't wait to see what Global One to One will accomplish in the future!

Project PeacePal is such a unique organization. I was a PeacePal with a women in Ghana. I would have never been in touch with someone on the other side of the world if it weren't for Project PeacePal. I looked forward to her response letter each and every time I sent a letter to her. It was a fascinating experience to say the least. I understand Project PeacePal to be for school children so they can start communicating with other children around the world. It is a great lesson for the kids to understand the ways of the world in other countries. I am so glad to be apart of it.
It is such a wonderful and meaningful organization!

Project PeacePal builds a bridge for young people representing different countries, cultures and religions to cross the many borders that separate us; to share their life experiences, hopes and dreams; to learn to be tolerant of each other; and ultimately, to appreciate and celebrate our differences. Thank you to Project PeacePal for helping foster a more peaceful, loving world for all...

Project PeacePal. an NGO based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, brings together teachers and students from around the world to inspire young people to be peace building leaders through its letter writing and service learning programs. What is interesting about Project PeacePal is that for minimum costs its programs produce quality results that are measurable, because you are connecting individuals as equals and progress is seen by following their actions. Unlike similar programs, letter writing is the basis for the program, rather than an option. The project does not reinforce stereotypes of the developing world with portraits of children seen as poor, dirty, and sad to get sympathies and funds as seen in the numerous late night and day time commercials asking for potential patrons for less than a $1/day to sponsor a child. Through the letter writing, US participants gain just as much as their peers abroad and are often inspired into action to help their new friend.

Through the letter writing, the Project PeacePal is able understand the needs of the community and to direct its service learning program towards a few targeted goals to provide maximum assistance for each dollar spent. The project’s Stamp Out Malaria Program is example of this. Through the letters
from Ghana and Togo, US students learned of the tragedies that malaria brought onto families and friends of the corresponding students, Project PeacePal assisted with help of the regional partners to purchase with 1,000s of mosquito nets that proved effective in combating Malaria. Individually, students also developed projects on their own. For example, a local student organized a bake sale and car wash to support their fellow pen pal to continue school. NGOs like Project PeacePal are positive example how an idea can blossoms into action and through practice (repetitive letter writing and service projects) brings common devotion and understanding among the participants.

With a stroke of pen and a hello, the grassroot programs like PeacePal have the potential to preemptively moderate our prejudices and in-differences before they have a chance to solidify in our characters, opening a chance for a reprieve from conflict that inevitably emerges when people are disconnected from each other. For this reason, I volunteer and serve as an active board member.

I am so happy to find and organization like Project PeacePal. The work they do is just amazing and the they lives they change in such positive way. I am looking forward to future projects and would highly recommend this organization to participate in.

I am a relatively new Board Member with Project Peacepal, and I am constantly amazed at the level of commitment of the Peacepal staff, community volunteers, and the student particpants in the various schools. They are truly commited to the cause and the goals of the organization:

"To empowers youth by developing essential life skills such as global competency, effective communication, intercultural understanding, and critical thinking. Our goal is to create mindful leaders for tomorrow through the development of person to person connections across borders and over time."

In our ever-changing and rapidly diversifying world and as the parent of a young child, I believe these values and goals are some of the most important things to learn and remember in our world.

Project PeacePal excels at making global connections for today's youth. Their correspondence curriculum connects students in the United States with students all over the world. From Nepal to Kenya, thousands of young people have been impacted by PeacePal's commitment to tearing down cultural barriers to foster the next generation of peace-building leaders. As a member of the board of directors, I have seen the success of these programs firsthand. I am constantly amazed at how such a small nonprofit organization can make such a big difference on an international scale. Project PeacePal truly epitomizes the rarest of human qualities: compassion, devotion, and tolerance.

Project Peace Pal strongly encourages youth to expand their cultural horizons. The sky is the limit culture coupled with its' nostalgic hand written letter writing process makes Peace Pal unforgettable. I am proud to be apart of an organization who cares so much about the leaders of tomorrow. I wish there were more organizations like this one.

Encouraging communication between school children in the US and those in other nations is the grass-roots concept behind Project Peacepal. Founded and flourishing in Albuquerque, NM, the organization engages local volunteers in planning and promoting community events in support of a rigorous schedule of letter-writing and international bonhomie. This is an organization that brings home the message, "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." .

Project PeacePal is an amazing organization that has impacted the lives of so many people all over the world. I first began volunteering with the organization during my undergraduate years and was immediately blown away by the wisdom and passion of the individuals working with PeacePal. It's amazing to me how one simple idea grew so beautifully as a result of both hard work and dedication. PeacePal's work is an elegant approach to connecting all citizens of the world and teaching young children about the interdependency of all nations, communities, and even individuals.

Project PeacePal is an amazing organization run by a passionate group of people. Their letter writing programs that connect middle school and high school students in the US with their peers abroad have a lifelong impact on the participants that gives them a global perspective, helps build strong inter-cultural communication skills, and eliminates stereotypes on both sides. They are building global citizens one student at a time. And even better, Project PeacePal accomplishes so much on a shoestring budget, when other international organizations do less with a much larger budget. Project PeacePal is also a model of the collaborative model, designed to grow the size of the pie for everyone.

There is one word to describe PeacePal's communication program: exceptional. I had heard about the organization for years but just got involved about a year ago. One of my great passions in life is to be involved with promoting global awareness and international understanding. PeacePal brings young people from around the world together with students in New Mexico to learn about each others lives. The participants connect with one another on a personal level through exchange of photos and letters. It is truly inter-cultural communication at its finest. Karen Schafer

I am a public high school teacher and I am in my fourth year of participating in the PeacPal letter writing program with both middle and high schoolers. It has been an invaluable source of international mindedness for my students. The PeacePal volunteers and staff have produced a complete, extremely professional, and common core connected program. The students love the program and I always have many that are not in my class the next year, but still beg me to participate in the letter writing! I have watched several of my students move from letter writers to activists themselves. The experience is empowering! I have been involved with and worked for non-profits in the past, so it is with experience that I can say that PeacePal is a fantastic and professionally run organization. Bravo PeacePal!

Prior to my exposure to this non-profit, I had no idea what could be done about international communication. I think that Project PeacePal is one of the most impressive organizations that I've dealt with. It's wonderful to see the types of international and intercultural communication that comes about as a result of their letter writing program. I have had a chance to see some of the impact, and it's been refreshing.