container-full

Artist (Glen Vause) impression of how the container can be transformed in Sierra Leone - from a shipping contianer into a library facility :-) Can you help us get there? Please donate now

Sierra Leone Book Project

 

new computers displayed at training centre in Freetown

Close to 200 Computers, Bookshelves, Assorted Children’s Books and more boost Education in Sierra Leone

A second 20ft container, with close to 200 computers, library shelves, children’s books and creative learning materials, assorted clothing, children’s toys, sanitary kits and more to help the needy and promote education for children in Sierra Leone.

Partnering with Knowledge Aid to provide access to information and skills in information technology, these computers have been set up at their different centres in secondary schools and colleges in the capital Freetown.  Knowledge Aid Sierra Leone is run by a Board of Directors and provides training and technology services to students in these schools and colleges. These computers were donated by Xavier College in Ballina, and it is with great pleasure that we highlight the very positive impact that these computers are now making in the educational system in Sierra Leone. The Board of Directors of Knowledge Aid Sierra Leone extends deep appreciation to all who have made this possible.

The Sierra Leone Library Board in Freetown is another beneficiary of this second consignment. Over 42 standard metal shelves were donated to the central library and some of these shelves have been installed in their other branches in the country. The Grafton and Evans Head libraries in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales donated these shelves thanks to the Richmond Tweed Regional Library manager who negotiated these donations. The Sierra Leone Library Board are now installing them at the central library and other branches. Again, these shelves are very much appreciated by the manager and Board of the Sierra Leone Library Board in Freetown.

The container, donated by Nick Bird, will eventually be transformed into a library/reading/learning space, while the Richmond Tweed Regional Library donated over 300 boxes of children’s books.

To all local organisations, businesses, families and individuals in the Northern Rivers, especially in Lismore, for your support in both cash and kind, I say a big thank you!

Donations welcome

We encourage you to kindly make a donation to this worthy cause, by clicking on the DONATE button at top left of this page. The shipment of this second consignment, like the first, has attracted some debts given as no-interest loan to administer the project in Sierra Leone. Fundraising is usually the hardest, but with hard work and a generous community, we are able to meet our goals.

Another Container Load Of Books, Computers And Library Shelves Is Ready For Shipment To Sierra Leone

The Sierra Leone Book Project Australia is again ready to load a 20’ container to ship off to Sierra Leone. This consignment is made up of over 10,000 books donated by Richmond Tweed Regional Library, over 200 computers donated by Xavier College in Ballina and library shelves donated by Grafton library are ready to be loaded.

Children in Sierra Leone have benefited from a 20ft container load of books donated by philanthropists in mainly Lismore and Tweed Heads in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales. This gift was received with utter delight as beneficiaries peruse their new treasure.

Access to books in Sierra Leone does not come easy. There are hardly enough books or proper bookshops in the country. Affordable school texts are primarily available in second-hand bookstalls, sometimes sprawled in street corners in the centre of town, most of them photocopied version of the original. The lack of a reading culture in this West African state is responsible for the very high illiteracy rate, which stands at over 50%.

from Australia with Love

When every African child has access to a variety of supplementary readers in schools at all levels, I would be the happiest man in the literary circle! This is because research has indicated that a child who can read and write, learns more and is more likely to stay in school. As a result, this child has a greater ability to contribute to economic prosperity. As a student/pupil masters the mechanics of reading, instructions expand to address reading and writing for critical thinking and the use of knowledge gained to solve real problems.

Allieu Kamara
Secretary, Pen International – Sierra Leone Chapter
Golden Baobab 2013 Search Hero

Sarah KingThe Sierra Leone Book Project, in partnership with Sanctuary Northern Rivers Inc. has successfully shipped a 20 ft container, now on the high seas bound for Freetown Sierra Leone. The container is loaded with over 700 boxes books, that's over 20,000 books donated by the Richmond Tweed Regional Libraries, learning institutions, businesses and individuals in the Lismore and Tweed region in NSW. Other items included in the shipment are 5 laptop and desktop computers, clothes, and children's toys.

Sarah KingEducation is a key to a better life, for and individual, a community, a country and world as a whole.

  • My name is Sarah King. I come from Sierra Leone and now living in Australia. I am currently finishing my Honours Degree in Media (Film and Writing) at Southern Cross University. I work at the Richmond Tweed Regional Library. I am a member of Sanctuary Northern Rivers Inc., Zonta Club Southern Gold Coast Tweed and a member of the African Community in Lismore.

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Endorsements

Sandie WillisIn Australia we are constantly reminded of the importance of books and of encouraging our children to read. For us books are so accessible. For many in Sierra Leone it is a different story.

Sarah King knows this reality only too well and is now planning to do her part to change the story for many children and adults in her country of origin. I would not hesitate to encourage others to join with Sarah by helping with this project in any way that they can – whether that be practical or financial assistance.

-Sandie Willis
Secretary, Sanctuary Northern Rivers Inc

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