Wednesday, September 06, 2006

ASAP Africa and Rotary Launch Book Drive for International Literacy Day


Friday September 8th in International Literacy Day. Do you have gently used educational or inspirational books that could be appreciated -even cherished - by others less fortunate?

The Rotary Clubs of Peachtree City, Fayette Daybreak, Fayetteville, the Borrowdale Brooke Club in Harare and ASAP Africa are partnering on a Literacy Project that will begin with a Book Drive that will run through September 30th.

Your donated children’s educational books will benefit the over 41,000 students in 131 schools that ‘ASAP Africa’ (www.asapafrica.org) currently works with in Zimbabwe. ASAP is a non profit organization based in Peachtree City that has been working to improve rural education and alleviate poverty in Zimbabwe since 1994.

According to Willie Dhlandhlara, ASAP’s Country Director in Zimbabwe, the most valued books will be primary school math and science textbooks (hardback or softback for grades K-12). English is the official language in Zimbabwe and all children’s books written in English will also be most appreciated. Shona is the local language but schools are taught in both English and Shona, so a good command of English early on is instrumental in academic success across the curriculum.

Project Literacy is also requesting inspirational and motivational paperback books (hardcovers cannot be accepted) which will be given to the Fayette County Jail to provide positive reading materials for local prisoners. Building on a program started by the 2006 Leadership Fayette Class, the goal of this program is to promote literacy with uplifting and motivational books to be made available to those prisoners being held at the Fayette County Jail facility.
The book drop-off points are:
The Peachtree City Library
Sandy Creek High School
Fayette County Chamber of Commerce
ASAP, Africa Office/Warehouse, 189 Fulton Ct. (off Huddleston)
Each of these locations will have a collection box for Project Literacy and welcomes your contribution and active participation to ensure this book drive is a success. Please donate only relevant educational (K-12 level) and inspirational/motivational books. Cookbooks, encyclopedias and magazines cannot be accepted.

Please mark your calendar to donate appropriate books to this project from
the 8th until the 30th of September. Your contribution will truly enrich the lives of others.
Thanks for your help!

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