SEPTEMBER 2002
PUPILS AT GROSVENOR SCHOOL TAKE PART IN THE FIRST EVER 'BOOK FAIR FOR AFRICA'
FRIDAY 27th SEPTEMBER - THURSDAY 4th OCTOBER
This week parents and pupils at Grosvenor School, Edwalton have been buying books from their school book fair and in doing so have helped young readers in Africa who cannot afford books of their own.
The 'Book Fairs For Africa' scheme has been dreamed up by Value Book Fairs, a Worcestershire company, who hope to entice schools to take part with the promise of 100% commission on every book sold - that is one book donated for every book sold. Grosvenor School will donate 50% of their commission and Value Book Fairs will pass on the donation to Book Aid International, a charity that distributes books to Africa.
These books will go a long way to brighten up school and public library shelves in Africa, which are all too often either empty or filled with old, worn and tatty books, that are unlikely to tempt young readers.
Teacher Joanne Ward is running the schools book fair. She told us,
"Our children really enjoy reading and we thought it would be a great opportunity to help other youngsters overseas. We already sponsor a boy in Africa, so it was of particular interest to our school."
And the difference that a book can make cannot be expressed better than by a young reader who wrote to tell Book Aid International,
"I send my letter to you to make you know how happy I am to read your book 'Great Football Stories'. I like football very much. So reading this book, I was very happy to know a lot about it. Even though I can't speak English very well, I want to improve it by reading English books. So, I wonder if you can send more books to our school."
In fact books are vital to combat poverty and to improve education in the developing world. The nineteen sub-Saharan African countries in which Book Aid International works share high levels of poverty but also a commitment to broadening education access for their young people. Book Aid International and Value Book Fairs believe that one of the best ways to nurture a vibrant reading culture is to give children a choice of interesting books. This love of reading will be carried through to their adult life.
Editor's Notes:
Book Fairs For Africa
is a scheme that has been launched by Value Book Fairs at the start of this school year. It is hoped that many schools will take part and make a tremendous difference to learning and education in the developing world.
Book Aid International
provides books for readers of all ages in 40 of the poorest countries in the world. We make books available to schools, mobile and community libraries, hospitals, refugee camps and a range of other organisations working to support education and training.
And looking to the long term we are working towards a sustainable solution to the problem of book shortages. We run a range of projects including offering training and networking opportunities for libraries, publishing and bookselling firms.
Value Book Fairs It is our aim at Value Book Fairs to open the world of books. To try to open the imagination of readers of all ages. Bringing together some of the best contemporary and original writing for all, from pre school age to young adults...
We aim to dedicate each term to books that will help primary teachers fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum ie Personal, Social and Health Education, Citizenship, Religion etc.