Can you imagine a grammar school with a "Library," but no books, just empty shelves? That's what a team of Rotarians from our District found in Belize last year. Now envision this school with children reading and learning in that same library, now stocked with over 500 books. That's what the Rotary Club of Carbondale gave to these school children this past year, then another 500 books to a second school. Since Belize is an English-speaking nation, the former British Honduras, these books were largely the same as children in Illinois find in their libraries.
There are empty book shelves in all too many schools in Belize. District Governor for 2005-2006 Catherine Taylor Yank is challenging us to expand one club's project into a District-wide effort to fill empty book shelves, to enrich children's minds. DG Catherine's goal is that every Rotary club in District 6510 will participate in this worthy effort. Will you lead your Rotary club to help fill book shelves in a school in Belize? Here's how to make this an important part of your International Service program next year.
First, help your members see the importance of this project. The large number of Rotary projects that provide books to schools and libraries in many regions of the world reported in The Rotarian underscore that this is an effective way to promote the education and welfare of children, and help them prepare for adulthood.
Second, pledge a minimum number of books your club will contribute this next year. Will you fill a bookshelf? Or at least fill a foot or more of shelf space? Books designed for the Kindergarten-8th grade age groups are appropriate.
Third, develop your strategy. Will you donate an up-to-date children's encyclopedia or the funds to buy one? How about a complete set of Dr. Seuss books, or a selection of nature and astronomy books to spark the imagination of a young scientist! Maybe novels appropriate for early readers, or young teens? How about a subscription to a good children's magazine like National Geographic Kids? Children's classics and recent award-winning children's literature would be great. Think "library" books, not textbooks.
These books might come from a variety of sources. They could be donated by club members. Some might be bought at a bookstore. Some might be found at yard sales, others bought at a used book store. Get your community involved; many of the books collected by the Rotary Club of Carbondale came from non-Rotarians. The books should be new or in "nearly new" condition, and up-to-date, not worn-out "oldies." Hardbacks are preferred; paperbacks wear out too easily. Or your club might wish to donate some of the money needed to ship the books to Belize.
A District team will provide advice and logistical support for your club. The team will coordinate collecting books that you donate and assure that they are shipped to schools in Belize. We are arranging for Rotarians in Belize to be our partners, to distribute the books to the schools, and get feedback from the schools about their needs.
And, of course, the team will provide you with plenty of photographs of Rotarians in action and children unpacking boxes and reading the books you have given them!
Book-Bridge to Belize Powerpoint Presentation
