[Reader-list] Request from a Teach for India fellow: Books, magazines, dictionaries for children aged 6-14

[Chintan]

Fiona is a dear friend. Do make time to read her note.

And if you can forward this to some of your contacts, even better :)

Love

Chintan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Fiona Vaz <fiona.vaz at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Feb 14, 2010 at 7:28 PM
Subject: No Subject, Can't think of any...

Dear All,



I really hope you all are fine.



This email is actually an appeal and since I want you to truly understand
what I am trying to say I will not take any short cuts.



As you may all know I am a fellow with Teach For India. This stated very
simply means, I am a teacher. I teach technically 45 children in a low
income school in Malad East, and make a difference in the lives of about 300
children in the school, in different ways-big or small.



My co teacher and I took nine of our students to Oberoi Mall, Goregaon, the
other day. This outing was conducted with the aim of celebrating their
success. Each one of the 45 children was given a differentiated goal to
achieve, nine of them made it.



At the end of a very happy meal J we took them to Crossword Book Store. The
sale was on and all the books were out on display. My kids walked in and
were truly mesmerized by the sight. The colours, pictures and everything
there, was a treat. They picked up books and sat on the carpet, reading.



Some understood, while others simply read.



This is the thought I had while we were there. If you put any child in a
place that offers learning, a child will learn without being *taught*. This
store had just too much to give.



My class is really colourful. Its walls are plastered with a lot of
information. They have storybooks to read, but most of them have been read.



We need books.



Here is my appeal:



In case you people have books, magazines, activity books, picture
dictionaries, normal dictionaries, and all or any form of literature
suitable for children between 6-14 years of age- those that you have
outgrown, those your children have outgrown, your nieces and nephews, and
everyone else- please could you pass them over to me?



I promise, as long as the material is in English, they will be used.



Send me an email on fiona.vaz at gmail.com and we will find a way to collect
the gifts.


Looking forward to receiving support from you. Cause I truly want to believe
that everyone wants to help, but does not know where exactly to start
from...

Feel free to begin :)

Thanks!



Fiona.