How to fit a whole library in a box

Putting books in East Timor schools

ChildFund NZ has launched an appeal to get books in schools to improve reading and education standards in the youngest nation in the world, East Timor.

Conflict has gripped East Timor since it voted for independence from Indonesia in 1999 and after years of political unrest the country’s education system lies in ruins.

Laura Patterson, ChildFund NZ’s programmes co-ordinator says: “Timorese local Maria who has been teaching for 38 years told us that she has only one battered old text book given to her by a nun many years ago. The only way she can teach reading is by writing on the blackboard.

“Even if Maria’s school had books they would need protection from the rain that comes through holes in the roof and they would need to be secure so that people who are desperate for books to read do not take them out of school.”

ChildFund has developed a solution to meet the unique problems of East Timor schools. Large lockable metal boxes originally used for delivering aid can be recycled by fitting them with shelves and wheels.

These boxes which can protect their precious contents from water damage need to be filled with 100 reading books and 10 text books before being delivered to schools and children in need.

Kiwis are being encouraged to make a donation to help fill Timorese school libraries with books. A donation of $33 will provide a reading book and a text book, while a donation of $650 will provide 100 reading books.

More than half of the adult population is illiterate and with only 20 per cent of primary-aged children in school at any one time this is unlikely to change. Education standards are so poor that many parents don’t see value in sending their children to school.

“If we are going to improve education standards, we have to start with the basics. The purpose of Library-in-a-Box is to go right to the heart of the matter by providing Timorese children with the tools they require to develop their reading,” says Ms Patterson.

“NZers know the greatest gift they can give a child is an education,” adds Ms Patterson.

ChildFund NZ is working in the East Timor districts of Dili and Liquinca where it will also assist in implementing an after-school reading programme and be involved in helping schools that require rehabilitation such as new roofs, windows and doors and access to toilets for both girls and boys.

For more information on the ChildFund’s Library-in-a-Box Appeal, visit www.childfund.org.nz or call 0800 223 111.