Teen's Mission to Establish Libraries for Needy Children
Posted by: Eastwestdirectory.com on Aug 24, 07 | 11:03 am
Sarasi Jayaratne (17) a high school girl from USA and the founder and president of Keep Reading Foundation, delivered her book collection and bookcases to three tsunami-affected schools and a Montessori school, Kahawa on August 3, 2007 at Devapathiraja Madya Maha Vidyalaya Boossa, Sri Lanka.
Over two thousand students from Maha Maya Balika Vidyalaya, Deerananda Maha Vidyalaya, and Devapathiraja Madya Maha Vidyalaya, Boossa participated in this ceremonial event. The senior officials from the Education Department, Galle District and Hikkaduwa Regional office witnessed the event along with the children, school principals and teachers.
In her speech at the event, Sarasi said that she wanted to do something special for disadvantaged children, especially, for those who were affected by tsunami. She promised her support to establish libraries in tsunami-affected schools and rural schools in Sri Lanka to promote English reading among children. She thinks, English as a common language, will bring children from all ethnic backgrounds together in our society that had been repeatedly shattered by the ongoing civil war. Finally she asked for everybody's help and support to make this project a success which will definitely make a positive impact on English education of underprivileged children across the nation. Her goal is to establish at least 15 libraries before the end of this year.
She thanked the volunteers and donors who contributed to the book collection and their time to the Keep Reading program; and all guests, children, principals, and teachers who brought this unique event a memorable one. She extended her special thanks to Ven. Rajawelle Subhuthi, Janavijaya Foundation and Major Malcolm Gunesekara, Army Training School, Boossa, for organizing the event.
While she was in Sri Lanka, she visited Knuckles Mountain Range Nature Center, Matale. She donated a set of encyclopedia to the center and is helping to build its library. Sarasi can be contacted at keepread@aol.com
source:Colombopage
