This Saturday at The Shoebox (a space for you to write in community), we will be writing Syrian families that are new to the city of London, Ontario; having arrived here as refugees (definition).
In an attempt to write what I endeavour to accomplish with Lefty Smudges (& The Shoebox), and then to define this letter writing session in those terms, this is what I have come up with.
Purpose of Lefty Smudges:
The Acknowledgement of Others;
Through any medium or means, communication is passed between intended parties.
The result is the connection of all parties involved, to each other, and back to themselves.
Purpose of The Shoebox (Sat. Jan. 16):
The acknowledgment of newly arrived Syrian families, in the city of London.
Hand written letters will be packaged together, and mailed to Cross Cultural Learner Centre (who they are, what they do).
The communal act of writing and mailing these letters will serve to enhance the feelings of community within both writers, and recipients.
#theshoebox
Each week, the names and addresses of those we write will change – will we focus on different groups in society/our lives, involving ourselves in social justice, the magic of relationship, and current issues – the intention, however, will remain the same.
Now, I wish to quote an email I received, from a recipient of the last letter writing campaign, in which letters were written and mailed to humanitarian aid organizations helping Syrian refugees. This email was from a member of M.O.A.S. (who they are, what they do).
To the citizens of London Ontario who made our day!
…I am delighted to say that we recently received your package of beautiful messages of support and encouragement. I cannot tell you how much it meant to us…[I]n the current climate our work can be loved and hated and receiving messages like yours, of sympathy and humanitarian feeling, is incredibly motivating to our team in the office and especially those on board, with whom we have shared your wonderful gift and who were deeply touched..
Please extend my sincere and most heartfelt thanks to all those who participated and please know how valued your correspondence was to us here.
Yours in gratitude and solidarity.
THIS IS POWERFUL STUFF.
Lefty Smudges is a revolution.
Join me.
Allyson Proulx 