A couple of weeks ago, I posted about volunteering as an English tutor for Syrian refugees here in Ottawa. I didn’t mention it at the time, but something has been bothering me ever since my first visit with the family: they have no books.
None.
Not a one.
There are three boys, ages 7, 13, and 14, who go to school and are learning English there; and there’s a mom and dad 
who are taking English second language classes. The boys have homework, of course, and Mom and dad have photocopied workbook pages for their homework, but apart from that, not a single printed word in the house. Oh, and mom is functionally illiterate, too.
My friends, this simply will not do. Photocopied worksheets are not how anyone should learn to read and write, and books…books are as essential to a home as tables and chairs and beds. And so I’ve made it my mission to fill up this home and others in their community with words and colourful pictures. Lots of them. Picture dictionaries, early readers, colourful workbooks…whatever I can lay my hands on that will help this family learn the language of their new country–and hopefully learn to love that language.
And the best part? You can help me. 🙂
I’ve created a Go Fund Me page where you can make a donation (every dollar helps!) to help me bring books into this home and others like it. Check it out, give what you can, and share it widely…for the love of words, the love of reading, the love of helping others, and my undying gratitude.
Thank you so much!
Linda
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