join Amnesty International's Greetings Card Campaign 2008

You may have seen in the news that UK resident Binyam Mohamed has been released from Guantánamo Bay.

Binyam Mohamed was one of the recipients of this year’s Greetings card campaign organised by Amnesty International. Read about the progress of this case here.

One recipient wanted to receive white ribbons so they could make a visible sign of support to those imprisoning them. I have just found some white ribbon so that card went out.

Remember this campaign carries on till the end of January.

Sending them all today!

5 today, hoping that it will make it a bit easier or them to deal with the tough situation they’re facing. Initially intended 5 for different continents (a bit of diversity-obsession), but got moved by some of the stories, so the final distribution wasn’t so “balanced”!

I admire Amnesty International’s effort to raise awareness in the global community, but at the same time, I’m outraged by some governments’ dismissive attitude in addressing injustice concerns. I wonder what other ways are available to make those in charge feel responsible for what’s happening there.

I sent 5 cards off around the world today so I hope they reach the people they are intended for and that they make those people feel even a tiny bit less alone..

I have been reading alot of the Amnesty website today and have found it so moving. I have written some cards and will do a few more too. Plus I have joined Amnesty itself and have asked for details of my local group. My life is really blessed and it is time for me to actively do more to help others…

I am going out soon to buy some more appropriate Christmas cards as all the ones I have seem to be funny ones! I am going to try and send as many as I can. I can’t imagine how terrifying it must be to be imprisoned anywhere, and simply for your own beliefs or convictions. And the families of those imprisoned must be going through such anguish. It makes me very grateful to have the life that I have and so sending cards is such a small but important thing to do. I hope all those imprisoned unjustly are soon free again…

I sent three cards off last week. I decided to start small and to try and send a few cards each week, over the next few weeks.

This goal is very easy to achieve. You can find all the information you need online here. If you click on the individual names on the right hand side (under the pink heading ‘Greeting Cards Campaign) you get information on:
- The salutation to use
- A suggested message
- Advice on what type of card to send (religious or non-religious)
- The address
- The postage zone and language to use
+ there are even printable address labels and labels with the suggested messages in other languages

The campaign runs until 31 January.

This has clean slipped my mind and through my fingers in this incredibly hectic month/life of mine, and I really don’t think it’s happening. I feel pretty shitty about it, it has to be said. Maybe Amnesty will be content with a donation instead.

Writing the cards is a quietly intense experience.

I want to say thank you to PurpleHeather for inviting me to join this challenge / introducing me to Amnesty International’s annual greeting card campaign! I hope to pay it forward by recruiting some of my friends into mailing out cards as well.