I Will Always Write Back

Martin vows to do well in his O-level exams not just for his future but because he wants to show Caitlin’s family that their generosity has not been wasted. With some of the money that Caitlin’s family has sent him, he asks his father to hire a photographer to take four photographs. When the photographer arrives, he begins to take the pictures, although not every family member is prepared. They each want to wear the clothing that Caitlin has sent to show their gratitude. However, since the photographer has already begun taking photographs, they are partially dressed in Caitlin’s gifts. In his letter to Caitlin, Martin expresses to Caitlin that he wants to be honest with her about the poverty that his family endures and that these images show his authentic life. He adds a small note about the bed in the photograph, stating that during the daytime, the family keeps utensils under the bed. During the night, they remove the utensils to sleep underneath it.

When Caitlin receives Martin’s photographs, she is shocked by the scenes of poverty in the images. She decides that it’s time to send another care package. With her parents, they go shopping at the army-navy store to buy tarps, collapsible buckets, and water purification tablets so that Martin and his family can collect drinking water during monsoons.