At Abbey Gate College, our longstanding Service partnership with the Mlindzini community in remote Eswatini is something we hold in the highest regard. For nearly 14 years, this relationship has grown with care, commitment and genuine connection, shaping the experiences of our pupils and strengthening ties across continents.

In recent months, that connection has taken on a particularly personal and rather charming form.

Our Junior School children have been quietly building connections with pupils at Mlindzini Primary School, where this year’s expedition will be based. Their letters, thoughtfully written and eagerly awaited, were carried in both directions by Jenny from Sense Earth during her visits to Eswatini.

This week, the replies arrived.

There was a palpable sense of excitement as envelopes were opened and words from new pen friends were read for the very first time. The letters themselves were beautifully written, full of warmth, curiosity and care. Some even included handmade gifts, small but meaningful tokens that brought great delight to their recipients.

Moments like these make something distant feel wonderfully real. What begins as a school partnership becomes, quite simply, a shared human experience. Our pupils are not just learning about another community, they are forming genuine connections within it.

With only a couple of months to go until 17 of our Senior School and Sixth Form students set off on their Eswatini expedition, this exchange has added an extra layer of anticipation. The journey ahead promises to be one of purpose, perspective and lasting impact, both for those who travel and those they will meet.

We can’t wait to see the children of Mlindzini Primary, and hand them the next batch of letters from IJS!

There is something rather special about a letter. In this case, it has done what the best partnerships always do – bring people closer together.