Shreya Patel ’19 aims to implement the spirit of non sibi through writing uplifting letters and cards for residents in care homes.
Throughout the month of March, Alumni Shreya Patel ’19 will lead a virtual alumni event for the nonprofit organization Letters Against Isolation. In this program, participants make cheerful letters and cards for residents of care homes in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and Israel. Open to all alumni, friends, and family of Andover, this event is a Non Sibi Project — an opportunity for alumni to partner with Andover and lead an initiative in their local community.
During the pandemic, Patel and her sister Saffron strove to call their grandparents every day to help alleviate senior isolation. Upon witnessing their grandparents’ struggle against loneliness, the sisters founded Letters Against Isolation to expand their efforts.
Now in the second year of its collaboration with Andover, Letters Against Isolation first became a non sibi project in 2020. Patel Lori Paglia, Coordinator of Regional Based Engagement in the Office of Alumni Engagement, described the nonprofit’s mission.
“Motivated by their experience supporting their isolated grandparents, [Shreya and Saffron] aimed to combat senior loneliness by sending handwritten letters and cards to residents of care homes. What started as a heartfelt connection with their grandparents has now grown to bring joy to thousands of seniors across the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia, and Israel. The virtual Letters Against Isolation Non Sibi Project… welcomes [us] to share in the spirit of selflessness by sending thoughtful cards and letters to seniors while ‘fighting Senior loneliness one letter at a time,’” wrote Paglia in an email to The Phillipian.
According to Jennifer Savino, Director of Alumni Engagement, Non Sibi Projects originated from Non Sibi Day, a single day dedicated to service all around the globe. The idea of Non Sibi Day has since evolved into Non Sibi 365, with the intention of embracing the motto of Non sibi all year round.
“With an excellent partnership with our Office of Community Engagement, the single day of service expanded to projects throughout the year, refreshing as Non Sibi 365. This allowed alumni and campus to explore impactful opportunities of service, freed from the restraints of one calendar day. This Non Sibi Project is one of those projects,” wrote Savino in an email to The Phillipian.
Paglia reflected on the impact of Non Sibi Projects. She commented on the moments and acts of Non sibi that grant participants a sense of fulfillment, pointing out the power of helping one’s community in many different ways.
“Each year, the reach of ‘Non sibi’ is felt globally as hundreds of our alumni engage in participating or leading non sibi projects in their local communities. These projects span a wide variety of causes, from food insecurity, environmental, and animal welfare, the challenges of poverty and homelessness, and more,” wrote Paglia.
She continued, “Memorable moments of giving back are not always bound by a project. Reflect on times spent volunteering at a food pantry, helping animals in shelters, bringing joy to a friend or stranger in need, making a difference in your community, or simply brightening up someone’s day. That’s your Non sibi spirit shining bright!”
