Linking FAVL libraries to U.S schools

During their service a lot of PC volunteers do World Wide Schools, a pen pal letter exchange with students in their villages and schools in the United States. I thought this could be a great project to do with FAVL, connecting young students at the FAVL libraries with classes in the U.S.
I did some research and found a list of 50 different Franco-American schools in the States. Typed up a letter of introduction and what we were looking for. In short, said we were interested in creating relationships between the students at the FAVL libraries and the students at their schools. We'd start with a pen pal letter exchange. If the exchange is successful it could lead to other activities like Book-a-Thons of African literature, fundraisings, sponsorships, etc.
After sending a few letters, the very next day I got a response from a French primary school teacher at Austin International School, expressing interest. After a few more detailed email exchanges we decided to give it a try.
I talked to Hamidou, the Pobe librarian and he has already started the letter writing activity at the Pobe library, organizing interested students (around 10-13) and writing the letters. Jen is also working at the Bougounam library writing letters as well. We'll collect the letters at the next meeting on October 25th and send them out by the end of the month. The plan is to do this activity with all the FAVL libraries. 
This is just a starting point, a simple pen pal exchange. But I think if this is successful it can really lead to bigger things, like fundraisings and sponsorships, better connections between FAVL and US schools.  When I did this in Pobe both groups of children absolutely loved it. They had a new friend from the other side of the world and learned about a totally different way of life. (The class also very generously raised money for the Pobe library!) If for whatever reason the pen pal exchange doesn't lead to bigger things, the learning experience and new friendships the students will get out of it seems worth it to me.