by Alice Pung
I carried the Lamb outside on my hip and took him to have a look at the Donaldsons’ front yard. He pointed to one of the gnomes hiding behind the gerberas and squealed with delight. He also scrambled around in my arms, trying to get down, but I held on tight. I didn’t want him trespassing in the neighbours’ garden. This was not Ramsay Street. As friendly as the Donaldsons were, in our neighbourhood we all knew our place.
When the letter arrived in the mail a few Fridays later, my first thought was just to throw it in the bin and not tell my father. After all, the envelope felt so thin. But then I thought, what the hell, I’ll have a look to see what polite rejection they’ve come up with, and then call and congratulate Tully. I ripped one end open so carelessly that I ended up tearing off part of the letter.
Dear Lucy,
As we approach a new century, we must equip our students to become leaders in myriad far-reaching social, economic and cultural fields. Laurinda is proud to introduce and embrace experiences of diversity in our strong tradition.
It is with great pleasure that I write to inform you that you have been awarded the inaugural Laurinda Equal Access scholarship.
For more information visit
blackincbooks.com
About Alice Pung and Room to Read
Alice Pung is a committed writer ambassador for Room to Read, an innovative global non-profit that seeks to transform the lives of millions of children through its holistic Literacy and Girls’ Education programs.
Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organisations and governments, Room to Read has improved the lives of over ten million children throughout ten low-income countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Vietnam and Zambia. Since it was founded in 2000, Room to Read has established school libraries, published original children’s books in more than twenty-five local languages, constructed child-friendly classrooms and supported educators with training and resources to teach reading, writing and active listening. It focuses its efforts on developing reading skills in primary school-aged children because literacy is the foundation for all future learning.
As Alice says, “Reading and writing changed my life, and took me to unimaginable places – literally. This is why Room to Read is so important. Having come from a refugee family that survived war, I personally understand the transformative power of literacy to build better lives.”
For more information, visit www.roomtoread.org
