My name is Annie Le and I am writing to you on behalf of the Native Health Community Garden, a group of people working on starting a community garden in the Mesa Neighborhood.

While searching for potential garden locations, we came across your house located at West Southern Avenue. We are asking about the possibility of using your land as the site of our garden.

In general, a community garden is a space where plants are grown and taken care of by a group of people in the community. Community gardens improve the quality of life, offer more chances to talk to each other and beautify neighborhoods while providing green food and therefore reducing the household cost of food.

To ensure the smooth running of the project, elected volunteers would be in charge. You would have access to all these volunteers and they would like to answer any questions you may have.

I have included some general information about community gardens and what they can bring to a community. We would love to speak with you in person or over the phone to discuss what hosting community garden on your land would involve. Issues may include discussing an agreement rental charges, garden rules, and water access. All the costs for the project will be covered by us. We would also like to present to you our vision of this space.

We would very much like to have your support. Thank you for your consideration and please feel free to contact me. Thank you again.

Respectfully,

Annie Le

During the cold winter months of 2013, Shyam Bihari Prasad, an old retired man, moved to Vasant Kunj in New Delhi to live with his daughter. This elderly gentleman would visit the Hanuman temple near his home every morning, where he would often see several children standing outside, begging the people for food．

"These children have working parents who lock their homes when they go to work. They have to leave their children outside to look after themselves. Classes in the local government school start only at 10：00AM, so these children beg for food outside the temple before going to school", says Prasad．

One morning, Prasad bought biscuits from the shop near the temple gate for a few of them. When talking with them, Prasad learnt more about their school and the different classes the children attended. He also asked them some basic questions and realized they had no grasp of simple concepts in science and math, nor any knowledge of spelling and writing in English and Hindi. He asked them if they would like to study. After receiving a positive response, he promised to meet them on the pavement outside the temple the next day at 8:00AM. Ever since that cold winter morning in November 2013, these street children have had classes on the pavement outside the temple．

Several local residents take a keen interest in the classes as well, offering help when they have time. Madam Manju comes in to teach the children English, Brother Singh helps them with math, and Mandam Kirtika gives lessons in both science and math. There are others who donate books and some who buy snacks for the children．

Despite the noisy vehicles and passers-by, the children here are focused and eager to read and write. They didn't know how to sit or talk properly at first. Now they have changed and helped each other with their studies. Shyam Brihari Prasad has turned the lives of many of these children around. They are doing well in their school exams and are spending happy and fruitful mornings instead of begging on the street．

Volunteering is a great way to support an organization and make a difference in your community. It can also be an opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills. 【小题1】 And what should we plan for? Here’s a guide for beginners.

Step 1: 【小题2】

Do you want to help the world, or your community? Do you want to build your own skills, make new friends, and learn? Do you love what you do? Do you want to share your gifts with others or give something back? Think about these kinds of questions. That can help you to choose the right direction for your volunteer work.

Step 2: Choose an organization that is meaningful to you.

If you feel strongly about literacy (读写), for instance, volunteer at your local library or find out if there is an organization of volunteer tutors in your area. There are organizations doing all sorts of work. 【小题3】

Step 3: Start small.

If you already have a busy school life, volunteer your time for an hour or two a week, or perhaps one day a month..【小题4】 Then, if you find you enjoy the work and have more time to do it, take on more time by time.

Step 4: Get training.

If there is a training course, attend it. If not, talk to the group leaders and other volunteers about their experiences. 【小题5】

Step 5: Try not to give up.

Volunteer work sometimes involves unpleasant tasks, difficult fellow workers, busy days, or bad management. If you find your work difficult, however, try to work through it before you decide to quit.