Understanding Pen-Pals
Since we were designing a service around children, we had the idea of making the service a children centered process. For this, we planned on integrating a pen pal service.
The idea was centered around the notion that children can become best friends by connecting with others who may have the same condition as them. The development of ‘Asthma Friendship’ has been seen before amongst children with asthma We read several accounts of individuals who befriended each other with the common ground of asthma and began life-long friendships.
Various different benefits for having pen pals in children are:
- Inevitably, some of your penpals will become your friends
- Having penpals lets you get to know people who are REALLY different from yourself.
- Penpals always has time for you. And in kids with asthma, pen — pals might the one person they need to talk to.
- Kids can be open about their condition and may even receive advice
We envisioned this part of our service as something that allows kids to connect with other kids, through teachers of different schools all over the country. Additionally a mutually supportive relationship between the parents can also emerge.
Feedback: Some feedback we received when we pitched the idea:
- Needs proof that such penpals and relationship is even required.
- What organizations help in connecting the families
- What does that landscape look like currently
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