Malinda Schultz has come up with a novel way to show sympathy with those affected by the magnitude 7.9 quake that hit Nepal in April.
Letters4Nepal, a letter-writing campaign she initiated following the devastating quake that killed thousands and displaced tens of thousands, has students from Taiwan write letters to those in the hardest-hit areas, which are then delivered through a US-based non-profit (letters4nepal.wordpress.com).
The project, which has already produced over 500 letters from Taiwan, encourages students to “provide some hope and let them know that somebody cares,” Schultz, 33, tells the Taipei Times by phone from Hsinchu where she lives.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Harris
She adds that the campaign is a way to “to inspire and to give courage to youth ... especially for kids who have lost everything,” while providing an opportunity for students in Taiwan to learn about another country’s language, lifestyle and religion.
‘YOU ARE NOT ALONE’
The letters, some colorfully illustrated with children dancing on rainbows, others with reflective baubles pasted to cardboard flowers, are written mostly in English with a sprinkling of Chinese and Nepali.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Harris
One student named Melody entreats her readers to be “brave,” while Ryan writes, “I know you are very sad, but you are not alone.” A third letter signed by Olivia reads “We come from Taiwan. We will take care of you.”
Schultz, who has traveled and taught in Nepal, is no stranger to helping others.
The full-time mother of three has organized art classes and photography workshops for Atayal children and held music festivals to draw attention to animal rights.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Harris
Being active in the community has helped her develop a network of like-minded expats, teachers who have “traveled the world and want to do something good.” After coming up with Letters4Nepal, she used social media to send the word out to teachers who would be willing to devote class time to have students prepare the letters.
Schultz cites Taipei’s Treehouse Academy as an example of a school that really jumped on board with the project. With its principal leading the charge, the school produced over 150 letters.
GLOBAL EFFORT
But Schultz says this is just the beginning. Having already convinced friends from the US to join the project, which has produced an additional 200 letters, she has called on contacts from Thailand, Australia and Costa Rica to join in.
Schultz says that with a one-year old to care for, she won’t be able to travel to Nepal to distribute any of the letters. But she is in touch with former students who have agreed to work with the foundation to distribute the letters — and in some cases, because many of those affected by the earthquake are illiterate, read them out loud.
“A letter is going to make a difference,” Schultz says with conviction.
“If they have one happy letter to look at for the rest of their lives — whether long or short — at least they have something.”
The letters will be sent to Nepal through the Bishwa Seva Foundation, a US-based nonprofit that raises funds to provide educational and dietary needs to the country’s underprivileged children in Panauti where they collaborate with a secondary school.
Letters can also be sent directly to the organization in Oceanside, California, care of the Bishwa Seva Foundation, PO Box 703 Oceanside, CA 92049.
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