War Child and Rotary tackle children’s literacy in Solomon Islands
5 May 2006
More than 5000 books from eight Australian children’s book publishers will be winging their way to libraries and schools throughout the Solomon Islands thanks to international aid agency, War Child and the Rotary Club of Brisbane Planetarium.
Tomorrow in Sumner Park (Brisbane), War Child and Rotary teams – including celebrity authors, Nick Earls and Rebecca Sparrow – will sort and pack the books in water tight bundles for transportation in shipping containers and canoes.
This latest book offering follows the success of War Child and Rotary’s previous efforts in late 2003 when 5000 books were sent to Solomon Islands’ children and both organisations are looking to partner up on similar initiatives in the future.
Author Rebecca Sparrow, Chair of War Child Australia, is grateful for the generosity of the Australian publishers who have donated these invaluable books, which will be used as education tools for Solomon Islands’ children.
“We were thrilled with the success of the first book shipment to the Solomon Islands and have been able to see first-hand the impact that this had on children’s literacy and education,” Rebecca said.
“While War Child Australia supports field work in Afghanistan, Iraq and Congo, this is an opportunity for us to do something closer to home.
“The recent instability in the Solomon Islands has provided even greater reason for us to push forward with this project.
“We really appreciate the support of Australia's children's publishers - their generous donation of these books is simply turning a good idea into a major project,” she said.
The partnership has effectively involved War Child undertaking negotiations with leading Australian book publishers, while Rotary is managing logistical distribution.
The books will be transported from Brisbane to the Solomon Islands through Rotary's 'Donations in Kind' program, then channelled through The Rotary Club of Honiara to school libraries in communities throughout the Solomon Islands.
Col Beardmore, International Director of The Rotary Club of Brisbane Planetarium who is co-ordinating this project says this is one example of projects undertaken by Rotary Clubs in conjunction with Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS).
“RAWCS coordinates the dispatch of items that are needed in the developing world,” Col said.
“The ‘Donations in Kind’ program is supported by Rotary Clubs throughout Australia and primarily provides items such as books, school supplies and hospital supplies to countries that do not have these things we take for granted in Australia.
“It is wonderful that Australian book publishers and War Child have joined forces for this project because these books will provide hours of enjoyment for many children - hopefully making a small but significant difference in their lives,” he said.
War Child Australia’s Chair Rebecca Sparrow values the partnership it has formed with Rotary and Australia’s children’s publishers.
“Partnerships such as these and financial contributions from our supporters enable us to undertake inspiring large-scale field work in much needed war ravaged countries.”
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