Hello family, friends and colleagues!
When I look around me, in the village of Kiruli, Rwanda, and
think about “need”, the instant flood of ideas is nearly overwhelming. What couldn’t this village need? Well, we have access to water; we have food
and a good climate for agriculture. We
also have churches and other areas for people to be with one another, and the
children have a school and teachers to teach them. The basics seem to be in place.
Then I look closer at my school. There are few computers, set up in an old
classroom-turned-computer-lab. We only have
electricity about half the time. The
classrooms are sparse, but full of students.
Things could certainly be better.
One area in my school where I’ve been the leader over the
past (nearly) two years is the library.
At the beginning of 2011, I took it upon myself to get all the books out
of boxes and into use. I got the ball
rolling by creating an inventory list, checkout system and library use
policy. Now, I’m a very peripheral
component of the library operation.
There is also a wonderful Librarian named Jimmy who, just this year, made
the transition from teacher to librarian because our school administration
understands how important libraries can be.
The library has blossomed.
Now students are checking out books left and right, teachers are using
more books in conjunction with their lessons, and the few storybooks we have
are being devoured by curious new readers.
The problem is this: the books are getting dirty! We currently have 5 cupboards that hold only
a small percentage of the books. The
remaining books are on top of old desks and benches. Yes, it’s working- but it could be so much better! Here in Rwanda we have two dry seasons and
two rainy seasons per year. The Library
is in an older classroom and it’s not exactly weatherproof. During the dry season, dust blows in and
blankets the books, and each rainy season gives way to new leaks in the ceiling
that are hazardous to our paper friends.
Our solution? Let’s build better storage! Jimmy and I
hatched the following plan: If we build new shelves, all the books will have a
safe home. We can be better organized and the library will become a more
user-friendly locale. This will help
both the librarian and the students to better care for the books, and will keep
them in circulation for longer.
In order to build new shelves, we need to raise money. Each shelving unit is about $200, and we want
to commission 8. I would also like to go
above and beyond the bare minimum and have extra money to provide some new
books for the library. So, the target amount is $2,000. The school has also pledged a donation of
$170, so everyone will be contributing in order to make this project a success.
Here’s how can you help.
Share this information with your friends and family. Anyone who considers reading to be an
important part of their lives should understand the potential impact of an
awesome and smoothly functioning library.
And having this library at a public school in a remote village makes an
even greater impact than I am able to express.
This is the only place that children are able to access new information,
and the students are really loving it!
After sharing with a friend or two, make a donation! I know, things can get uncomfortable when it
comes to money, but allow me to level with you here for a second. I’m willing to bet that you have at least 10
dollars to spare. And if I can find 200
people who can part with 10 dollars (that’s one dinner out to eat, or the price
of your drink of choice for less than a week) we’re in business! Of course, if you are able or willing to make
a larger donation, it will be so very appreciated!
In return, here’s what I’ll do for you. If we raise enough money to complete our
project, I will be sure that each of you gets a thank you letter from a student
and a before and after photograph of the library.
I am very excited to get this project underway! Since we are working on a limited time frame,
the deadline for donations is November 1st 2012. I have set up a PayPal account specifically
for this project, and I will be managing the funds. I can assure you that every penny will go
towards our Library Improvement Project! Thank you for reading, thank you for
caring, and thank you for sharing this message.
Questions? Comments? Send me an e-mail at allison.l.snyder@gmail.com
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