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'Writing ambassadors'
Letter projects teach class about the world
(Published February 7, 2005)

By ROSEMARIE ONWUKWE
Special to The Common Denominator

Stephanie Abney calls her 3rd grade students "writing ambassadors."

She has turned part of their 90-minute literacy period at Garrison Elementary School into a mammoth writing project. Their newest project is writing what they call "letters of hope" to the children who suffered tragedy during the recent tsunami devastation in South Asia. In the process, the children have learned a lot about how tsunamis are formed and about earthquakes, floods and seismographs.

Abney, a 30-year veteran teacher, sent the letters to the embassies of Thailand, Tanzania, Kenya, Indonesia and India. In her cover letter to the embassies, Abney explained that "the children wrote letters to show their empathy and shared concern for neighbors" and called their letters "original and heartfelt."

One student, Chelsea, wrote: "I am 8 years old. I just wanted to tell you that I care about you. ...[H]ave faith and believe that you can move on. ...I don't want you to quit. Keep your head up high."

Another student wrote: "I know how you feel. I had a water accident too," remembering how she had nearly died when her apartment was flooded.

Some children, Taylor and Eva, brought in money they had saved. Tajah brought in her $5. They made donations to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the American Red Cross for the Tsunami Relief Fund.

For these students, the writing project has become more than simply classwork.

"I love writing to people," said Hugh. "I feel sad for them (the tsunami victims), because the children lost their families and their homes.

Abney's Writer's Workshop consists of a series of writing projects for these savvy 3rd graders. They also write regularly to Army Spec. Donte Hollingsworth, Abney's son-in-law who is based with a unit at Fort Bragg that is currently in Iraq. The children send letters to him every couple of months.

"I love getting mail .. it brightens my day," Hollingsworth said. "Those kids are funny. ...I also share their letters with the other soldiers. They get a kick out of the letters also."

Hollingsworth said he plans to visit the students when he gets back from Iraq.

"When the other soldiers saw the letters, they asked me if those are my kids, and I tell them, ‘yes they are,'" he said.

The children say they enjoy writing to Hollingsworth as much as he enjoys getting their letters.

"I feel good writing to soldiers because it feels good to communicate with them," said Keshmere.

Chase said he has discovered "one thing in common (with Hollingsworth) – video games!"

Abney began the writing campaign to Hollingsworth with her two previous classes while he was still stationed at Fort Bragg. Those students are now in the 4th and 5th grades at Garrison.

Garrison's principal, Geneva B. Williams, said she is extremely supportive of Abney's writing program.

"Mrs. Abney's class affords her students the opportunity to express their thoughts in a creative way ... building and strengthening the reading and writing connection," she said.