PEER SUPPORT DELIVERED!
"It is comforting to know that there are so many caring young people (and their leaders!) willing to spend the time to help prop up someone whom they have never even met ... She was thrilled with all of the support and plans to write to each month's recipient going forward. Thank you for all you are doing; it does make a difference." ~ Aibhlin's mom
Watch this heartwarming video of Aibhlin's Friend Mail delivery story!
~ AIBHLIN'S STORY ~
Caring Canadian athlete (12) switches schools mid-year to escape bullies, only to be heartbroken again.
12-year-old Aibhlin is "a go-getter who strives to be the best" says her mom, and "is very forgiving and caring" with a "strong moral compass," always choosing right from wrong. Aibhlin thinks of others first, and for instance, if she sees a younger child waiting alone for a ride, she will hang out with them until their parent arrives. She speaks up when kids are being picked on. If she hurts someone's feelings, she is quick to apologize.
A resident of Ontario in Canada, Aibhlin is a track and trampoline athlete, and loves to wakeboard and snowboard. The rising 7th Grader is also passionate about coding and science - and wants to become both an Olympian and an Astronaut when she grows up! Wow! She even has a wish that "American Gladiator" will make a series for KIDS so she can compete. Aibhlin is a huge fan of the show "Riverdale." She is an ardent player of Pokemon, even naming her adorable dog after the character "Pichu." In quiet times, Aibhlin is an avid reader of Rick Riordan's book series featuring Percy Jackson.
Athletic "go-getter" who is kind to others - that is Aibhlin! 💕
Aibhlin exudes confidence in sports, but not socially since ongoing bullying has undermined her self-worth. She was targeted on the 1st day of 6th Grade (when bullying statistically peaks) when one classmate discouraged another from playing with her, stating that "everyone in the class was good..." except Aibhlin. Like many young victims of bullying, the caring girl had no clue why she was targeted, but we do know that NO ONE DESERVES TO BE BULLIED EVER; it is never the victim's fault.
Soon, other classmates joined in with typical tactics meant to humiliate and isolate the 12-year-old. They devised ways to get her in trouble at school too, for instance, by kicking her shoes out of order and calling her out of line. In the middle of 6th Grade this year, Aibhlin transferred schools to escape the bullying.
Devastatingly, bullies targeted Aibhlin again as the "new kid" to the new school where she was quickly called a "traitor" for playing with a classmate that was being socially excluded. A large group of classmates refused to include her in playground games saying untrue things on purpose to embarrass her, like that she is too "disgusting ... ew, no one wants to touch you .... why do you go to the bathroom so much?" They even deleted her from their Class Messenger Group to exclude her completely. Like most bullied kids, this eager student tells her mom that she no longer wants to go to school.
A YOUTUBE INTRODUCTION OF Aibhlin's story by our On-Air Teen Ambassador, Brielle Diaz Withers, is a good way for younger students to learn a Recipient's story!
Ambassadors, Aibhlin is the 1st Recipient that the BAFP ever featured during summer break! Mid-August, we delivered close to 100 letters and gifts, but we need your back-to-school initiative to help us send a 2nd surprise batch with our usual hundreds!
EVERY LETTER IS A GIFT OF SUPPORT!
THE MORE SUPPORT, THE GREATER THE IMPACT!
Let's show amazing Aibhlin the kindness and support she deserves from her peers. Your empathetic words and art WILL MATTER to help restore joy and confidence in this bullied child. "Friend Mail" letters, videos and gifts WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE to let Aibhlin know she is not alone - and is AMAZING!
"CHANGE ONE LIFE AND YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD. IT'S IN YOUR HANDS!"
NEW DUE DATE FOR AIBHLIN'S "FRIEND MAIL" IS NOW SEPTEMBER 26TH!
Friend Mail must arrive in our NY office for review by the Due Date to be included in the 2ND surprise delivery!
Mail "PHYSICAL" letters to:
Be A Friend Project
P.O. Box 30
Beacon, NY 12508
Email letters, videos, scans & Google Drive links, send to:
jennifer@beafriendproject.org
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