Sunday, October 14, 2012

Art for Malala


 
I received this email from a teacher I have corresponded with in Pakistan, who is looking to create the "the longest and most colourful card in the world’s history" for injured student activist  Malala Yousufzai.  Will you please help her reach her goal and have students email their artwork to her by October 20?  Read the letter below and it will tell you what to do.
I was introduced to Basarat Kazim by Margariet Ruurs and we are in the process of scheduling a SKYPE school visit with her students. 
 
Dear Friends,

I write to share with you news from Pakistan that has saddened the hearts of all. On the 9th of October, Malala Yousufzai ,aged 14, who has been active in denouncing the closure of girls schools by the Taliban in Swat in 2009, and who continued her education despite threats, was shot in the head on her way back from school. Two of her friends, also in the bus, were injured as well.

Malala epitomizes courage and allows all of us to see that single acts of bravery can, and, do become movements. We are grateful to this young campaigner for encouraging Pakistanis to stand up and be counted.

Alif Laila/IBBY Pakistan is setting up a library in Malala’s school and has organized a KEEP SMILING card campaign for Malala and her two friends. We aim to make this the longest and most colourful card in the world’s history.  For this we need your active support.

Please become a member of this campaign by encouraging  children to write messages and create drawings that are full of hope and will make the girls happy, and hopefully, assist in their recovery.  We also want them to know how compassionately the world has responded to their plight and how they are not alone in their struggle.

Please email us your contributions by the 20th of October. Emails can be sent to:
aliflaila_lhr@yahoo.com

bmk_al@yahoo.com

Thank you for your time and support.

Basarat Kazim, President
Alif Laila Book Bus Society
IBBY Pakistan