:: DO THIS! Letter writing campaign: asylum seekers held on Nauru or Manus Island

Will you be a pen-pal to a refugee locked up on Nauru or Manus Island?
Simple, compassionate gestures like this can make a huge difference.
Please consider getting involved and please SHARE this post to help spread the word.

Letter writing campaign: asylum seekers held on Nauru or Manus Island

How to do it:

1.     Write a letter, but not directed to a specific person.  Say who you are, so the recipient will not wonder whether you are acting for the government. Tell them something about yourself.  Let them know that not all Australians are hostile to them.  Be sensitive to their circumstances.  Encourage them to write back to you.

2. Send the letter to me:

Julian Burnside

205 William St

Melbourne, 3000

3. Enclose a self-addressed envelope
4. I will post your letter (with your self-addressed envelope) to a specific asylum seeker on Manus or Nauru.  I will explain the letter-writing programme and I will include some writing paper and your self-addressed envelope so they are able to reply.
5. When you get a reply, just keep writing to that person.  If you want, you can ask them for the names of other people you can write to.

People of various countries are held in Nauru and Manus Island, including Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Sri Lanka.  If you prefer to write to someone of a particular nationality, let me know.

If you have a preference for which detention centre your letter should go to, let me know.

It is simple.

A similar letter-writing campaign in the early 2000s was very valuable in helping keep up the spirits of asylum seekers.

If you decide to take part in the letter writing campaign, you might like to share the responses you get, and encourage your friends to write to asylum seekers.