“I Will Always Write Back
Our inaugural meeting will take place on Thursday, June 18th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Our first selection will be I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda, an inspiring true story about an unlikely friendship that spans continents and changes lives.
Discussion Questions:
- What inspired Caitlin and Martin to begin their correspondence, and how did their relationship evolve over the years?
- How does the book challenge or reinforce your perceptions of poverty, education, and opportunity in different parts of the world?
- What emotions did you experience as Caitlin learned about the hardships Martin faced in Zimbabwe?
- In what ways does the book highlight the power of friendship and empathy across cultural and economic divides?
- How do Caitlin’s and Martin’s perspectives on their own lives change throughout the story?
- What role does communication—especially written correspondence—play in bridging gaps between people from vastly different backgrounds?
- How does the book depict the impact of global inequalities, and what can readers do to become more aware or active?
- Discuss the moments in the book that were most surprising or moving for you. Why did those moments resonate?
- How do Caitlin’s and Martin’s experiences with education influence their personal growth and outlook on life?
- What are some lessons about generosity, responsibility, and sacrifice that can be drawn from their stories?
- How might reading this book influence your understanding of international development and humanitarian issues?
- How can the lessons learned from Caitlin and Martin’s friendship be applied in our daily lives?
- How does the friendship between Caitlin and Martin demonstrate that true friendship can overcome cultural and geographical barriers?
- How does Martin demonstrate resilience throughout the story?
- How does Caitlin’s response to Martin’s struggles exemplify resilience?
- What lessons about resilience can readers take away from Martin’s story?