This project will fund our donkey library project to give 1,250 rural Ethiopian children access to books. Our donkey library visits remote schools bringing bags of books to help children learn to read and discover the pleasure of reading. In rural schools, children rarely have access to books at home or at school so the donkey libraries offer a valuable opportunity for children take part in reading classes, to access reference books and to borrow books to read for pleasure.
Most children in Ethiopia do not own a book apart from their school textbook and most rural schools do not have a school library. Without access to books, children from isolated communities are at risk of falling behind other students in reading and writing. Without these basic skills they are more likely to drop out of school early and will be poorly equipped to support themselves and their family in later life. Without access to books, children miss out both the benefits and fun of reading.
Our mobile donkey library bring panniers full of books to isolated schools in Ethiopia. Our books are carefully selected to help pupils with their studies but also to inspire them with stories in their own language. Our donkey librarian works with teachers both to enhance subject lessons with extra reading materials and to hold English and Amharic lessons where students can read independently and in groups. We lend books to both teachers and pupils so they can have their own books at home.
Each donkey library brings books to 1,250 children in rural locations, providing non-fiction and fiction books they would otherwise be denied. Regular access to books lets children improve their reading skills, as well as encouraging a lifelong love of reading. Improved grades in school will give children the means and confidence to remain in education for longer, in turn increasing the likelihood that they will go on to lead happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.
