In today's world and especially with the digital world beginning to take over, people are considering going paperless. Readers are choosing digital newspapers over print media, students prefer accessing information on pdf books rather than using hard-copy textbooks and loads of other examples show the decline on dependence on paper - yet this commodity is still a victim of environmental mismanagement.
My question is: What is being done with the piles of books stored in boxes at our homes, thrown away as litter and those that lie in dormant libraries? Is there a way these books can be reused again? Are there not people who might find these books to be of use to them? I am talking of the underprivileged who cannot walk into a store to buy a book. To answer this question among other social questions, this past weekend, JCI Bulawayo in collaboration with local businesses and other individuals decided to do something about the education of the less privileged.
Junior Chambers International (JCI) is a membership based Non-profit organisation of young active citizens between the ages of 18 and 40 that are dedicated to creating positive change in their communities. JCI members identify problems within their communities and come up with solutions to create impact. Likewise, at the beginning of this year, as one of its projects, JCI Bulawayo chose to refurbish a room at Emthunzini Wethemba (a local children's home) and turn it into a library.
Within the past months, the room was painted, renovated and turned into a new study center. But then the real job came up – filling the empty room and shelves with books. It took the combined effort of some individuals and local schools such as Christian Brothers College, Gifford High School and Petra High school for their prompt and generous responses to supply the Children's Home with books. I (Lesedi Evans Shumba, 13 Eco-Generation Ambassador to Zimbabwe) also donated some of my own books and some of Tunza Eco Generation fliers and notepads.
I also took up the opportunity to educate some of the attendants on the importance of re-using and donating old books in ensuring the sustainability, reducing the reproduction, reducing deforestation, decreasing litter and educating the future generation in the process - killing two birds with one stone.
After the event, I arranged with the administrators to allow me to come back to the center on a later date and educate the children on some basic environmental management topics.
26 Comments
Great job) thanks for sharing
Posted 30-11-2014 05:03
Great job) thanks for sharing
Posted 30-11-2014 05:03
Great job) thanks for sharing
Posted 30-11-2014 05:03
Thank you for sharing, Lesedi Evans Shumba!
Posted 27-11-2014 08:41
Good job! Books are your ticket to the world. When we read, we understand more of our surroundings.
Posted 12-11-2014 17:45
Wow. This is such a great idea! You have just given them smiles and hopes in their hearts to study harder and achieve such future that awaits them. This is also a good way of recycling and do things that are efficient in every way.!
Posted 10-11-2014 18:11
Education for sustainable development is what Africa needs ,thanks Lesedi for the great sacrifice .This is a great job that your doing .Kudos my brother
Posted 08-11-2014 21:17
Great job Lesedi. Worth sharing!!!
Like you have done, our almuni group of SOS Bharatpur are as well collecting old books, children magazines, course books and other educational materials so that we can set up library at some rural schools where their is acute shortage of necessary books for studying
Posted 08-11-2014 13:53
Great work & the best part is those kids, they look up to as their role model...
The title fits!
Posted 08-11-2014 13:34
Great work & the best part is those kids, they look up to as their role model...
The title fits!
Posted 08-11-2014 13:33
I am glad you have this kind of initiative, Lesedi! It is true that many are still not reached with the improvement of the technology (like that of an e-book) and saving a book for others would really go a long way. Continue to do great things for others! Kudos!
Posted 08-11-2014 12:50
Great initiative!
Posted 08-11-2014 10:23
helping the earth and underprivileged! a very good idea to do both these!
Posted 07-11-2014 22:19
Wow, that is a good idea. In Bali, there is a local community organizing old books donation to be given to children in poor area. So, the book is still useful till now
Posted 07-11-2014 13:41
You are right Lesedi,those books lying on our shelves without any purpose can be rellay useful to those who are in need of but has no way to get it.It's really great initiative.Thanks for sharing and keep up the works Lesedi. :)
Posted 07-11-2014 10:51
great work :) its indeed a commendable idea !! :D
Posted 06-11-2014 19:46
Thank you for all your comments guys. it felt good in representing you guys in such a great cause as this one.
Posted 06-11-2014 19:07
This is a noble & educational initiative. Well done & All the best.
Posted 06-11-2014 18:30
Indeed a great idea and paciticing it, is a way to sustain and protect environment.On the other hand reusing for the educational purpose is a great initiative ..Keep sharing Ledesi !
Posted 06-11-2014 15:43
Lesedi, this is great initiative & great contribution from your side as well. You feel so good by contributing to the society specially underprivileged.
Well reported!
Here in UAE, particularly in Sharjah, there is "Sharjah Used Book Fair" organized every two years. You can donate books to the charity. They hand over to libraries & also sell the books at through away prices [AED 1-10 USD 0.27 - 2.75]. The proceeds of sale is used for charity works.
The response of people is immense & they donate huge lots of books. I regularly donate books from my personal library to this cause & also volunteer in the fair.
Posted 06-11-2014 13:18
Wow Lesedi that's a great initiative. Reusing the books for the sake of those who are unable to afford is appreciable. Also you are educating them in all way for a healthy and green environment. Happy to see your contribution. Well done :)
Posted 06-11-2014 11:50
Good work, Ledesi! :D We're so proud of you being part of such a great initiative. Thanks for the update.
Posted 06-11-2014 08:51
Keep up your philanthropic work
Posted 06-11-2014 02:48
Great article
Posted 06-11-2014 02:13
good work Lesedi Evans Shumba
Posted 06-11-2014 01:48
Yes , Lesedi , it is true by reusing /recycling our old books we can educate underprivileged children , brighten their future and also protect environment by diverting books from landfill. Thanks for sharing your experience and view-point. It's really good that you spoke to administrator for environment awareness session. We should use all possible opportunities to educate people and spread awareness about environment issues and tips.
Posted 06-11-2014 01:31