Letter writing campaign: asylum seekers held on Nauru or Manus Island How to do it: 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. Write on light paper: the letter rate for international mail increases if letter is more than 50 grams. Avoid cards, attachments etc. Send the letter to: Julian Burnside 205 William St Melbourne, 3000 Enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Make sure and put AUSTRALIA as part of your address. Nauru uses Australian stamps. Please put $1-85 in Australian stamps on the return envelope. PNG: stamps are expensive (6 Kina: about $2.50, for an overseas letter). For letters to Manus, put a $5 note in the reply envelope and that will enable the refugee to buy stamps for two letters. He will post your letter (with your self-addressed envelope) to a specific asylum seeker on Manus or Nauru and will explain the letter-writing programme,l including some writing paper and your self-addressed envelope so they are able to reply. When you get a reply, just keep writing to that person. (It would be nice to ask them for the names of other people who would like to receive letters too) 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, just say. If you have a preference for which detention centre your letter should go to, just say. Its 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. --- dont ever let it be said that you didnt know how you could help.
Posted on: Wed, 28 May 2014 12:00:14 +0000
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