Write letters. Share stories. Grow together. Change perspectives.
A simple, meaningful way to connect across the world
Complete the signup form and we'll carefully match you with a student in India based on age, interests, and personality.
Get your pen pal's profile card, writing prompts, stationery, and everything you need to start your friendship.
Write letters, create drawings, share photos, and send videos. All communication is reviewed by our staff for safety.
Build a real relationship, learn about life in India, and expand your worldview through authentic connection.
Quarterly group video sessions let you meet your pen pal face-to-face (where internet is available) and connect with other pen pal pairs.
Exchange birthday messages, celebrate academic achievements, and share special cultural moments throughout the year.
Guided prompts help you build meaningful conversations
Your security and your pen pal's security are our top priorities
We take safety seriously. Every letter, photo, and video is reviewed by Hoops Creating Hope staff before being delivered to ensure age-appropriate, respectful communication. Parents and guardians have full visibility into all exchanges.
All correspondence reviewed before delivery. Nothing goes through unchecked.
No addresses, phone numbers, or last names are ever shared between pen pals.
Parents receive copies of all messages and can review correspondence at any time.
All communication goes through HCH. No social media connections or direct messaging.
Everything you need to know about the program
We carefully match based on age (±2 years), shared interests, and complementary personalities. Our staff reviews all applications and pen pal profiles to create meaningful pairings. We aim to match within 2-3 weeks of signup.
The program is completely free! You'll receive a welcome kit with supplies, ongoing support, and all materials needed for correspondence. Optional: You can send annual cultural exchange boxes (coordinated through us) at your own expense.
That's okay! All our students in India are learning English through the program, and our staff provides translation support when needed. Simple language and visual elements like drawings work great. Many pen pals start with basic English and improve together.
Monthly exchanges during the school year (approximately 10 per year). You submit letters by the 15th of each month, and responses are typically delivered by month's end. You can also exchange birthday messages, holiday greetings, and participate in quarterly video calls.
We coordinate an annual cultural exchange box program where both pen pals can send small, meaningful items (drawings, photos, small crafts—nothing expensive). All items are reviewed before shipping. This keeps exchanges equitable and prevents any pen pal from feeling obligated to give expensive gifts they can't afford.
Life happens—we understand! You can pause or end your pen pal relationship at any time by notifying us. We'll help with a respectful transition. We do encourage committing to at least one school year so both pen pals can build a meaningful connection.
Absolutely! Each family member can have their own pen pal, or siblings can share one pen pal and write together. Parents are welcome to read all correspondence and can include notes to their child's pen pal's family.
Not at all! While basketball is the thread that connects us, conversations cover school, family, culture, dreams, and everyday life. Many participants don't play basketball—they just care about making a global friendship and learning about the world.
Quarterly group video calls let you meet face-to-face virtually (where internet is available). For in-person meetings, we occasionally coordinate service trips to India for older ambassadors and families. These are optional and at your own expense, but they create unforgettable experiences.
All students in India are enrolled in our verified programs with local staff oversight. We provide profiles with photos (with parental consent), and all communication flows through our secure system with staff review. We never connect pen pals directly via social media or personal contact information.
Start your friendship journey today