The Sunday Letter Project
Pocket Libraries is now an official Letter-Keeper for The Sunday Letter Project - a worldwide network helping people rediscover handwritten letters and connect with pen-pals without sharing their home addresses. We’re the first keepers in Africa!
For us, we're especially excited about the local side of things too: readers connecting with readers, neighbours writing to neighbours, and unexpected conversations beginning through a few words on a page.
Think of us as a tiny community postbox.
How it works
Browse or write a letter
Visit the library and read introductory letters from people looking for a pen-pal - locally and around the world. Or write your own.
Choose someone to reply to
Write to someone nearby or further afield.
Use Pocket Libraries as your return address
We'll safely receive letters for you, so there's no need to share your personal address.
Post and wait
This is intentionally slow. Letters take time.
Alongside the wider Sunday Letter network, we'll also be creating a Local Letters Basket.
No stamps. No long-distance post. Just local conversations.
Maybe you'll write to:
A fellow book lover
A neighbour
Someone from another generation
Someone whose path you might otherwise never cross
Where to send letters
Drop letters off at either Pocket Libraries location, or if you're writing from elsewhere use:
Pocket Libraries Foundation
PO Box 2007–00606
Nairobi
Kenya
Postal delivery in Kenya works a little differently, so letters from outside Nairobi should use our PO Box.
A few gentle guidelines
First names, initials and pseudonyms are welcome
Please don't share personal contact details or social media handles
Write by hand, with care and kindness
The public pen-pal network is intended for adults (18+)
We can post international introductory letters and replies to penpals on your behalf. The charge for this is 700/- (this is what Posta charge to send letters internationally)
If you’d like to learn more about The Sunday Letter Project, have a look at their website - https://www.thesundayletterproject.com
Local Letters
No stamp needed. No address required. Just something kind on paper.
Write
Write your letter by hand. Sign with a first name or a short description - “from a keen gardener”
Drop it off
Leave it in our letters basket at the counter. No envelope needed - just fold and place it in.
It finds a reader
Others browse the basket and pick up a letter. Some may write back, starting a local exchange
Pen-pal Introductory Letters
We act as your postal address - your home address stays private