“ Inspirational English” talks to Harry White about his voluntary work and positivity.
Would you tell us about your work with Heart ELT?
I began to work with Julie Kacmaz, founder of Heart ELT, a couple of years ago, when she offered her help with a separate project. I mainly assisted with representing the cause, helping to run its Facebook pages, and working to develop the movement. One of Heart ELT’ s projects, The A-Z of Hope, is a recently-released, printon-demand book designed to make English an accessible language for students all around the world, regardless of where it is. I was proud to write a foreword for the book, along with several other contributors. I also try and help Heart ELT where I can with its online presence— I believe that raising awareness for this amazing movement is very important.
Can you tell us about an occasion when your organisation has brought smiles to the children’ s faces?
Heart ELT has helped to support Heart School in an Iraqi refugee camp for an extended period of time. Julie would send me videos of students receiving donations, preparing for celebrations such as Christmas, and much more. What struck me is how grateful these people were for such basic things: paper, scissors etc. Their enduring hope in times of such despair is truly magical.
How do you think young people can be encouraged to take part in positive events for social change?
The key is to provide access to clear, unbiased information to everyone, and to teach all young people that we can have an effect. Our age does not affect the validity of our beliefs, and even the smallest actions can have the biggest impact on someone’ s life. Educating young people in areas such as citizenship and politics allows for us to develop our social conscience, and form opinions that will motivate us to get involved.
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