Lincoln Public Schools alum Emma Vacek is connecting Kahoa Elementary School students with the African continent through pens, paper and pleasant words.
 
Vacek, a Southwest High School graduate, is serving as a pen pal supervisor between students in Lincoln and the country of Benin. She has been teaching English in the nation of 14 million people for the past two years.
 
“Making a friend in America and receiving two letters from them has given my students a window into America. Many students come to my house asking if there are more letters yet, and all of my students instantly called their pen pals their best friends,” Vacek said.
 
Kahoa third graders June, Keefer and Oscar said they have enjoyed forming international friendships.
 
“That was my first time writing to someone living in a different place, so it was really fun for me because I could meet people in different places,” June said.
 
Kahoa Principal Mandy Nickolite-Greene said it has been rewarding to watch how much students have gained from the project.
 
“Giving kids that perspective is awesome,” Nickolite-Greene said. “It’s helped them learn about another culture and has been a really cool experience.”
 
Vacek said she was always encouraged to follow her dreams, work hard and be curious while she was studying at LPS.
 
“The generosity and genuine care people have for each other is so inspiring,” Vacek said. “If you have something, you share it, whether it be a fruit, a story or company. That is how we live here in Benin.”
 
Keefer said the pen pal project has been meaningful for her.
 
“It showed us that even though they don’t get a lot of things that we do, they still have fun in Africa,” Keefer said. “They were smiling there.”
 
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