Writing guide
Writing to a pen pal in Kenya
✍️ A few words to start and end with
Nobody expects a whole letter in their language. A greeting and a sign-off in it says you thought about who is reading — and gives them something to correct, which is a fine way to start a friendship.
- Hello
- Hello
- Opening a letter
- Dear …,
- Thank you for your letter
- Thank you for your letter.
- Signing off
- Best wishes,
- Hello
- Habari
- Opening a letter
- Mpendwa …,
- Thank you for your letter
- Asante kwa barua yako.
- Signing off
- Kila la heri,
🕰 What time it is there
It is 14:47 in Kenya right now.
Mention the time of day or the season you are writing in. It is the detail that makes a letter feel sent from somewhere, and the one they are most likely to answer in kind.
🧭 Members in Kenya, in numbers
Counts only, and only once at least 3 members share an answer.
- English 42
- Swahili 27
- Afrikaans 3
- French 9
- German 7
- Arabic 5
- Movies 19
- Music 19
- Nature 15
- Food culture 14
- Travel 13
- Animals 12
- Cooking 12
- Culture 11
If you speak one of the languages they are learning, say so in your first letter — a pen pal who can help is a pen pal worth answering.
💬 What locals have told us
What do you love the most about Kenya?
“ What I love most about Kenya is the people and the diversity. Kenyans are so warm, friendly, and welcoming we have over 40 tribes and each has its own beautiful culture, language, and traditions. I also love our nature from Nairobi National Park where you can see lions next to the city, to Mombasa beaches, to Maasai Mara, and our amazing food like nyama choma and pilau. Kenya is home, it has a...”
What do you love the most about Kenya?
“The natural sceneries ”
What do you love the most about Kenya?
“The people ”
🌍 How Kenya answered the world questions
Good openers: ask them about the one where they differ from everybody else.
What's a typical breakfast for you?
When is dinner at your home?
What time does school (or work) start where you live?