Description of activities

The Campaign “Gift a Poem” is introduced by the UNESCO team in order to celebrate the World Poetry Day on March 21st. These initiatives are very important for young individuals to grow and connect to their people. This campaign aims to promote a love for poetry and the act of giving meaningful sentiments through literature, and it has sparked enthusiasm and participation from schools all over the world. As a National Coordinator of Pakistan ASP network, I circulated the campaign among the ASPnet members. In Pakistan, the schools participated in this campaign are MDM High School Matiari, Islamabad Model College for Girls (Sector F-6/2), Government Girls High College Latifabad No. 10, Islamabad model school for girls (VI-X) G-9/4, Mansehra Public School & College, Shah Abdul Latif School Hyderabad and Government Girls Primary School Firdous. It is really important how teachers participate and enlighten students about this activity. When teachers explained the whole task to the students, they showed excitement and embraced the opportunity to engage in the selection and gifting of poems. They truly want to participate and show their appreciation for the artwork of Zbigniew Herbert. Here are some insights shared by the teachers of the schools regarding the Campaign, “Today on March 21, 2024 on World Poetry Day. I initiated the “Gift a poem Campaign” among the students of my class grade X. I’ve given awareness among students to gift a poem of Zbigniew Herbert, a Polish poet. On the occasion of his 100th anniversary, students have to gift a poem to the person of their choice. Moreover, teachers and the school’s headmaster received poems written by Zbigniew Herbert, which my students delightedly gave them. It was encouraging to see that most students gave poems as gifts to their professors and friends.” “During the “Gift A Poem” activity, students were encouraged to write and dedicate poems to individuals they admire, including the Head Mistress, teachers, domestic staff, fellow students, doctors, soldiers, and family members. The activity provided a platform for students to showcase their creativity while expressing heartfelt appreciation for the contributions of these individuals.” “On this occasion children were told about the life history and commendable work of a Polish poet Zbigniew Herbert. Children have shown great zeal and enthusiasm while given task to copy a poem from Zbigniew poetry of their choice. They have not only given the postcard as a gift to the people whom they admired and love, but also showed a gesture of offering something valuable by showing selfless empathy towards people around them. This little activity created aesthetic sense to be portrayed in a captivating canvas of their emotional and moral values with the help of beautiful poetry of a great poet Zbigniew Herbert.” “Students were tasked with selecting individuals to whom they wanted to gift a poem. These recipients ranged from teachers to parents and others. The objective was not only to spread joy but also to introduce our students to the world of poetry and its power to communicate emotions and sentiments. After selecting their recipients, the students delved into the world of literature to find poems that resonated with them and would likely resonate with the recipients. They scoured books to find the perfect verses that captured the essence of their feelings. Once the poems were chosen, the students embarked on the creative process of transcribing them onto paper, adding their personal touches along the way. Some adorned their creations with illustrations, while others added heartfelt messages alongside the poems. Finally, the moment arrived when the students presented their carefully crafted poems to their chosen recipients. The joy and appreciation on the faces of both the givers and receivers were palpable, showcasing the success of the activity in fostering connections and spreading happiness. Moreover, “Gift a Poem” proved to be an excellent opportunity for our students to explore the world of poetry in a hands-on and meaningful way. Many of them expressed newfound appreciation for the art form and its ability to convey emotions and stories in a succinct yet impactful manner. Overall, the activity was a resounding success, leaving a lasting impression on both the participants and the recipients. We are grateful for the opportunity to organize such enriching experiences for our students and look forward to planning more in the future.” There will be a healthy impact on students by this campaign.

• They will explore the depths of poetry and importance of words used for special people.

• In our increasingly digital world, this campaign is an important reminder of the value of human connections.

• Students are able to have meaningful communication with others. Right choice of words is necessary. In the concluding remarks, I want to acknowledge UNESCO and ASP network for leading this important campaign and we hope to continue participating in similar campaigns in the future.

Schools involved

  • MDM High School Matiari
  • Islamabad Model College for Girls (Sector F-6/2)
  • Government Girls High College Latifabad No. 10
  • Islamabad Model School for Girls (VI-X) G-9/4
  • Mansehra Public School & College
  • Shah Abdul Latif School Hyderabad
  • Government Girls Primary School Firdous