When people work together, remarkable things happen. Since 2014, over 21 people with albinism have been murdered in Malawi. Many more are at risk of being killed or abducted. Annie Alfred was born with this condition. In all other ways she is totally normal. But some traditional healers believe that her body parts are magic and can bring great wealth when consumed. She refuses to live in fear and helps Write for Rights in Malawi to stop these practices. In 2018, almost 600,000 letters were written in support. The government has responded with better laws and a handbook to help the police stop this superstition. In 2019, six albinos ran for parliament.
當人們團結在一起時，就會有了不起的事情發生。從 2014 年起，超過 21 位患有白化症的人在馬拉威被謀殺。還有更多的人身處在被殺或被綁票的危險中。Annie Alfred 一出生就處在這種狀況下。在其他方面她完全正常。但是，有一些傳統的治療師相信她的身體器官具有神奇效果，食用後能帶來極大的財富。她拒絕活在恐懼中，並且協助在馬拉威的寫信馬拉松活動來阻止這些陋習。在 2018 年，有將近 60 萬封信聲援。政府用更為合理的法律與手冊做出回應，來幫助警察阻止這項迷信。在 2019 年，有六位白化症患者競選國會職位。
"Write for Rights," established by Amnesty International, is a writing campaign to confront oppression in the world. Every December 10th on Human Rights Day, it enlists people everywhere to fight social injustice by becoming involved and through writing. There is power in this action. Help is extended to individuals and also to groups of people. In 2016, Albert Woodfox, of the Angola Three, was released from almost 44 years of solitary confinement in prison due to some 650,000 letters. In 2017, ten human rights defenders were arrested in Turkey. With the help of Write for Rights, they were released on bail just three months later.
「寫信馬拉松」是國際特赦組織所建立，它是一個用寫信來對抗世界各地壓迫的活動。每年 12 月 10 號國際人權日，它招募來自各地的人，藉由參與和寫信來對抗社會的不公平。這個行動中有力量。幫助延伸到個人，也延伸到團體。在 2016 年，安哥拉三人的 Albert Woodfox 因為六十五萬多封聲援信的緣故被釋放出來了，他在監獄被單獨囚禁了將近四十四年。在 2017 年，有十位人權鬥士在土耳其被逮捕。在寫信馬拉松的幫助下，只在三個月之後他們就被保釋出獄。
The idea behind Write for Rights is very simple: It is based on the concept that writing a letter or any other type of message, can have a dramatic effect. Also, everyone can get involved: school children, parents, grandparents, and ordinary people—all can offer assistance. The campaign began in Africa, was adopted in Poland, and then used globally by Amnesty International.
寫信馬拉松背後的想法非常簡單：它是根據一個概念，就是寫一封信或任何其它類型的訊息，都能夠有極大的影響。而且，每個人都能參與：學生、家長、祖父母與一般人－－所有人都能提供協助。這個活動開始於非洲，在波蘭被採用，然後被國際特赦組織在全球實施。
Amnesty International, from its very beginning, has adopted a totally different approach to fight international injustice. Founded in London, England, in 1961, Amnesty's approach is based on non-violence. This is the concept that we should all live in peace. Many people in modern society feel a certain powerlessness when it comes to serious issues of fairness. Write for Rights gives people the tools for action. Whether it is demanding safety for land defender Nonhle Mbuthuma or protecting indigenous rights defender Pavitri Manjhi, Write for Rights can help. It has proven over time that a mass correspondence of pleas and requests arriving on the desk or in the computer of some president makes a difference.
國際特赦組織從一開始就採取一個完全不同的方式來對抗國際上的不公平。在 1961 年創立於英國倫敦，國際特赦組織的方式是以非暴力為基礎。這是我們應該都和平生活的觀念。在現今的社會中，當提到有關公平的嚴肅話題時，許多人會感到某種無能為力的感覺。寫信馬拉松給了人們採取行動的工具。無論是為土地鬥士 Nonhle Mbuthuma 爭取人身安全，或是保護原住民人權鬥士 Pavitri Manjhi，寫信馬拉松都能幫得上忙。這段時間以來，它已經證明當大量的請願與要求書信在抵達某位總統的書桌上或電腦中時，是能夠發揮影響力的。
The wonderful part of Write for Rights is that we can all take part. One does not have to be an expert at anything—only commit to doing something good for someone else. Many say, "I can't do anything to change the world." This is just not true. To date, many people have been released from prison by the simple effort of writing. We can easily break a single stick, but a bundle of sticks cannot be broken. It is an example of human goodness that when people work together, remarkable things do happen.
寫信馬拉松最棒的部分就是我們都能夠參與其中。我們不必是任何事物的專家－－只要致力於為他人做一些好事。有許多人會說：「我無法做任何事來改變世界。」這並不是真的。到目前為止，只是透過努力寫信，許多人已經從監獄裡被釋放出來。我們可以輕易折斷一小根木棒，但是一綑木棒就無法被折斷。這是一個人性善良的例子，就是當人們團結在一起，神奇的事情的確會發生。
- remarkable [rɪˋmɑrkəb!] adj.
卓越的，引人注目的
Winning 23 Olympic gold medals, as Michael Phelps did, is a remarkable record that will be very hard to break.
像菲爾普斯一樣贏得 23 面奧運金牌是難以打破的驚人紀錄。 - murder [ˋmɝdɚ] v.
謀殺，殺害
Some vegetarians believe that, by eating meat, we are murdering animals.
有些素食者認為吃肉等同於謀殺動物。 - murder [ˋmɝdɚ] n.
謀殺罪，兇殺
The young man was put on trial for attempted murder, but he was found not guilty.
這名年輕男子因殺人未遂而受審，但被證明無罪。 - abduct [æbˋdʌkt] v.
綁架，誘拐
Worried that their children might be abducted, the wealthy parents hired security guards for them.
擔心他們的小孩可能會被綁架，這對有錢的夫婦為他們雇用了保鑣。 - abduction [æbˋdʌkʃən] n.
綁架，誘拐
The TV news reported the abduction of a young girl on her way home from school yesterday.
電視新聞報導昨天有一個年輕女孩在放學回家時被綁架。 - consume [kənˋsjum] v.
吃，喝；消耗
Dr. Perkins recommends I only consume fresh foods and get plenty of exercise.
醫生建議我只吃新鮮食物和多運動。
This small heater consumes a lot of electricity, so you shouldn't use it too much.
這台小暖爐相當耗電，所以你最好不要用太久。 - consumption [kənˋsʌmpʃən] n.
食用；消耗
Because of sell-by dates, supermarkets often throw away food that is still fit for human consumption.
因為商品上標示的有效期限的緣故，許多超市會丟掉那些其實還可以食用的食物。
Energy consumption in the modern world is extremely high and needs to be reduced to help save the planet.
能源消耗在現在的世界太過劇烈，需要減少才能拯救地球。 - superstition [͵supɚˋstɪʃən] n.
迷信的行為；迷信
The belief that some numbers are unlucky is one of the most common superstitions.
認為有些數字不吉利是最常見的迷信之一。
Wearing that color won't affect your fortune; that's just superstition.
穿那個顏色的衣服不會影響你的運氣；那只是迷信而已。 - superstitious [͵supɚˋstɪʃəs] adj.
迷信的
Queenie is superstitious, and she thinks my bad luck is caused by owning a black cat.
Queenie 迷信，她認為我的厄運是因為養了一隻黑貓而造成的。 - confront [kənˋfrʌnt] v.
面對，對抗
It is better to confront a difficulty than try to run away from it.
與其逃避，面對困難是更好的選擇。 - confrontation [͵kɑnfrʌnˋteʃən] n.
衝突，對抗
The street gang's confrontation with armed police ended in the deaths of three of its members.
幫派分子和武裝警察的衝突最終導致三名成員的死亡。 - oppression [əˋprɛʃən] n.
壓迫，欺壓
The United Nations has criticized the oppression of women's rights in certain countries.
聯合國批評了某些國家對女權的壓迫。 - oppress [əˋprɛs] v.
壓迫，欺壓
The government oppresses its citizens in order to hold on to power.
政府為了保有權力而壓迫人民。 - enlist [ɪnˋlɪst] v.
爭取（支援）；入伍，從軍
Annie enlisted the help of someone from the Accounting Department to deal with her salary issues.
Annie 向會計部門的人求助，以處理她的薪水問題。
As soon as he left high school, Daniel enlisted in the navy.
Daniel 高中一畢業就加入海軍。 - injustice [ɪnˋdʒʌstɪs] n.
不公不義
Dr. Martin Luther King fought against racial injustice for many years until his murder in 1968.
直到 1968 年被暗殺前，馬丁路德金恩博士對抗了種族不公義許多年。 - justice [ˋdʒʌstɪs] n.
正義，公正
The purpose of a court is to provide justice for all the citizens of a country.
法院的目的是給予所有國家人民正義。 - extend [ɪkˋstɛnd] v.
提供；擴展，延伸
I would like to extend my best wishes to you and all your family.
我想為你和你的家人們獻上最棒的祝福。
The back garden of the house extends all the way down to the river.
房子的後花園一路延伸到河流。 - extension [ɪkˋstɛnʃən] n.
擴大，伸展
The planned extension of the school campus will almost double its total size.
校園的擴建計畫會讓整體面積幾乎加倍。 - solitary [ˋsɑlə͵tɛrɪ] adj.
獨自的，單獨的
The old man leads a solitary lifestyle, living alone in his house in the hills.
那名老人獨自一個人生活，住在山丘上的房子裡。 - confinement [kənˋfaɪnmənt] n.
禁閉，監禁
The usual punishment for this crime is confinement in prison for at least five years.
一般這個罪的罰則是至少五年的監禁。 - confine [kənˋfaɪn] v.
監禁；侷限
Danny's parents confined him to his room because he wouldn't apologize for being rude.
Danny 的父母把他關在房間，因為他拒絕為他的無理道歉。
Membership of the private club is confined to people who can afford its huge fees.
只有能負擔巨額會費的人才能加入這個私人俱樂部。 - concept [ˋkɑnsɛpt] n.
觀念，概念
The principal gave a speech to the students on the concept of personal responsibility.
校長向學生們演講個人責任感的概念。 - dramatic [drəˋmætɪk] adj
戲劇性的；戲劇的
The floods that resulted from the dramatic change in the weather took everyone by surprise.
天氣劇變所導致的洪水把大家都嚇了一大跳。
The audience reacted with great admiration for the dramatic performances of the actors.
觀眾相當欽佩演員的戲劇性演出。 - assistance [əˋsɪstəns] n.
援助，幫助
Your assistance made an enormous difference to the project, and we appreciate your help.
你的協助大大改善了這個專案，我們感謝你的幫忙。 - assist [əˋsɪst] v.
協助，幫助
Our math teacher asked me to assist one of my classmates with her homework.
我們數學老師要我協助一位同學的作業。 - adopt [əˋdɑpt] v.
採用；領養
According to reports, new measures will be adopted to reduce the unemployment rate.
根據報告，新的措施會被採用，以降低失業率。
Sammy became an orphan at the age of two and was adopted by his aunt and uncle.
Sammy 兩歲的時候就變成孤兒，被她的阿姨跟叔叔領養。 - non-violence [ˌnɒnˈvaɪə.ləns] n.
非暴力
Unless protestors follow a policy of non-violence, they cannot expect the general public to support their requests.
除非示威者遵循非暴力手法，否則他們不能期望大眾會支持他們的訴求。 - violence [ˋvaɪələns] n.
暴力行為
According to official reports, incidents of domestic violence increased last year.
根據官方報告，家暴事件去年有所增加。 - violent [ˋvaɪələnt] adj.
暴力的
The poor woman lived in fear of her husband's violent temper.
這名可憐的女子活在她先生暴躁脾氣的恐懼裡。 - issue [ˋɪʃjʊ] n.
議題，問題
The president discussed a number of key issues during a recent TV interview.
總統在最近一場電視訪問中討論了一些重要議題。 - demand [dɪˋmænd] v.
要求；需要
Charles took the broken smartphone back to the store and angrily demanded his money back.
Charles 把壞掉的智慧型手機帶回去店裡，生氣地要求退款。
This disastrous accident demands immediate changes in the rules on motor racing.
這場悲慘的意外需要有關飆車法條的立即改善。 - demand [dɪˋmænd] n.
要求；需求
I'm afraid that we cannot agree to your demand to lower our price.
恐怕我們無法同意您砍價的要求。
The higher demand for electricity in summer is due to the use of air-conditioning.
夏日針對電力的更高需求是源自於空調的使用。 - indigenous [ɪnˋdɪdʒɪnəs] adj.
本土的，當地的
Respect for their ancestors is very important to the indigenous people of the island.
對祖先的尊敬對這片土地上的原住民來說是相當重要的。 - correspondence [͵kɔrəˋspɑndəns] n.
信件；通信
There has been a lot of correspondence on this problem between the company and its suppliers.
這間公司跟供應端之間已經有許多有關此問題的信件來往。
Despite being a busy author, she is in correspondence with quite a few of her fans.
儘管身為一名忙碌的作者，她跟許多粉絲都維持通信。 - plea [pli] n.
懇求，請求
Environmental organizations have made a plea for people to reduce the amount of plastic they use.
環境組織要求人們減低他們使用的塑膠量。 - plead [plid] v.
懇求，求情
The young man's mother pleaded with the judge not to send him to prison.
這個年輕人的媽媽請求法官不要把她兒子送進監獄。 - commit [kəˋmɪt] v.
致力於，投入
The government has committed to a tax increase but says it is just a short-term measure.
政府已致力於增加稅收，但表示這只是短期的措施。
Simon loves being in the air force and has just committed himself to another five years' service.
Simon 熱愛為空軍效力，他剛決定再投入五年時間服役。 - commitment [kəˋmɪtmənt] n.
承諾，投入
The band's drummer quit because he didn't have time to make a full commitment.
這個樂團的鼓手退出了因為他沒有時間全力投入其中。 - at risk of
冒著⋯⋯的危險
At such a depth, divers are at risk of losing consciousness under water.
在這個深度，潛水者有在水下失去意識的危險。 - be based on
以⋯⋯為基礎
Professor Smith's views on this phenomenon are based on his recent experiments.
Smith 教授針對這個現象的觀點是以他最近的實驗為基礎。 - over time
經過一段時日
The disease is slow to develop, but over time it becomes very dangerous.
這個疾病發展得慢，但隨著時間它會變得非常危險。 - make a difference
改善，有效果
The new principal is a good administrator and has made a big difference to the management of the school.
新校長是一個好的管理者，大大改善了學校的管理。 - to date
到目前為止
To date there have been no changes to the policy since its introduction.
該政策自推出以來，到目前為止都沒有任何改變。
