The scheme will connect kids in the UK and Ireland with girls supported by the Intrepid Foundation-backed Education For All (EFA) scheme, and children of staff working for Intrepid Operations in destinations ranging from Myanmar and Egypt to Croatia and Peru.
Children of agents aged six to 18 will be encouraged to take part and make new friends by swapping letters online to learn about different cultures and how other countries are dealing with Covid-19.
Zina Bencheikh, Intrepid managing director EMEA, said, “During these challenging times, we wanted to show our support to our agent friends, many of whom we know are working under demanding and high-pressure circumstances, as well as those affected in other ways by the pandemic like many girls in Morocco.
"By launching the Intrepid Pen Pal Programme, our hope is that we can continue to stay connected even in isolation, and regardless of our geographical or economic circumstances.
"We want to create some positivity in the current climate by engaging with our agents and community partners through unique and light-hearted activities like the pen pal programme that resonate in these difficult times and hopefully suit individual, as well as business needs.”
Since 2018, The Intrepid Foundation has raised more than £115,000 for EFA, which currently ensures nearly 100 girls from remote villages in Morocco’s High Atlas region can continue their education.
Since the Covid-19 lockdown, many Moroccan girls have been unable to attend school. In response, EFA has raised nearly £5,000, which includes fundraising contributions on behalf of some Intrepid staff, to provide girls with essential IT equipment such as laptops, tablets and internet connectivity so they can continue their studies.
During this time, the Intrepid team in Morocco have organised ground logistics to deliver the equipment to girls, some of whom are based in remote parts of the country – a task which has proven even more challenging since the country went into lockdown.
Any agents wishing to get involved should sign up to the Intrepid Loves Agents Facebook page.
