Books for Refugees

Have you ever been to a house that has no books? Until recently, neither had I. And let me tell you, it is an empty house indeed. But it's what many refugee families coming to Canada are experiencing. Entire communities have pulled together to provide shelter, clothing, furniture, and so much more to these people who have had to flee their homes...but somehow, the necessity of books was missed (trust a writer to notice!).

My name is Linda Poitevin, and I'm an author living in the Ottawa, Canada area. I tutor a Syrian family weekly in English at their home. I can think of no better way to teach them to read and write than through books. In fact, I can't think of how I can possibly teach them WITHOUT books. And so I've started this campaign.

With these funds, I will buy as many  books as I can on behalf of the refugee family...from colourful beginning alphabet books to picture dictionaries and beginning readers. I will then give the books to the family I'm tutoring, and to other refugee families in their community. All members of the community will benefit, from the kids (who are attending school and could use the extra reading practice) to the moms and dads (who are taking English as a second language lessons and learning to read right along with their children). 

Learning the language of their new country is an essential part of helping our refugee families to feel at home here, and learning to read and write is an essential part of language. With your generous donations, I can fill entire bookshelves with colour, language, knowledge, and imagination. Thank you SO much for your help!