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Literacy
Literacy | LITERACY |
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The library of Luang Prabang is one of the only establishments fighting the issue of literacy in rural Laos. The library's unique approach of combining books with mobile equipment, such as boats or backpacks, has dramatically increased literacy rates in rural communities.
Walking the streets of Luang Prabang during a recent Guerrilla Aid trip, I happened upon a public library, which immediately caught my attention - although not for it's stately, academic appearance. In fact, it wasn't much of a library, at all - just a building consisting of two modest rooms, a meager collection of books, and many empty shelves.
I entered the library to find an attentive librarian seated at the front desk and asked how I could be of help that day. She simply responded by pointing to the donation jar, which sat on the counter between us. The verbiage on the jar described a "traveling library" program, which utilized modified backpacks to haul book collections into the surrounding villages.
They've engineered the mobile libraries out of large canvas sheets with pockets sewn on, that can be filled with books and rolled up into a pack. The librarian or volunteer can then don the innovative pack and walk into a village with the library, literally, on their backs - AMAZING IDEA!
With more time than cash to give, the "Guerrilla Aid Day" commenced with one of the oldest tricks in the book: pandering. I began pestering the passing tourists for a dollar - which covered the cost of purchasing one used book for the library's collection. With a mobile library on display, the result of my efforts yielded enough generosity to purchase one book backpack and fill it with books!
There are over 2,000 villages in Laos which lack a primary school. Even if a school has been established in these rural locations, many of the children are still being educated without the aid of books. Global Color's current project seeks to build upon my effectual day of guerrilla aid, by helping this library expand it's inventive impact.
The efforts of the Luang Prabang library target literacy in Laos. Not only focusing on reading as a necessity, but as a fulfilling, recreational outlet as well. Thus, the dissemination of books to children in rural areas is cruicial developmentally, in terms of both education and enjoyment. The multifaceted iniative the library has undertaken highlights the importance of the book backpack project. Additionally, the library captains what could accurately be labeled the "bookmobile". An amazing boat, outfitted with racks filled with books, that travels up and down the rivers. The boat allows village children access to the library and book exchange program - increasing literacy rates along the way. Unfortunately, the current book supply is greatly lacking.
The cost of a single book ranges from $1.00 - $5.00 ($10.00 for some new books) and a pack $25.00. We send all donations as soon as they're received and if you could help us fill a pack or get another boat or two, we can immediately address the literacy needs of thousands of children in Laos.
Books: $1.00 - $5.00
A Book Pack: $25.00
A FULL Book Pack: $250.00
A BOOK BOAT is, well, a lot of cash - so every little bit helps!
If you'd like to stop by the library while in Laung Prabang, the address is:
Luang Prabang Library Saithethathirath Road
Laung Prabang, LAOS
If you have any questions about the program, please email
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