The Donkey Library will bring books and reading to over 1,000 Ethiopian children living in rural areas. Schools in remote parts of Ethiopia often do not have libraries, and so thousands of children don't get the chance to read outside the classroom. The donkey librarian travels from school to school with books in panniers on the donkey's back, giving children the chance to read, learn and discover in an exciting event.
Access to books lets children improve their grades, learn at their own pace, discover new interests, and develop a love of reading. Unfortunately schools in villages and small towns in Ethiopia often do not have libraries, and the nearest facilities are often many miles away. Children in rural areas face many challenges in getting a good education, and a lack of access to books limits their personal development, educational attainment and future life chances.
This project will bring reading and learning to thousands of children in rural areas of Ethiopia, through the use of a mobile 'donkey library'. A donkey library consists of a donkey, panniers of books, and a donkey librarian, who takes the mobile library to remote, rural locations. Children will be able to borrow engaging non-fiction and fiction books, and will be helped with their literacy. Donkey libraries are a cheap and exciting way to help improve children's reading and learning.
Each donkey library will bring books to around 1,000 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 and grades in school, 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.
