Connections world-wide
by WriteKathyFebruary 24, 2005
In 2004, the BookCrossing Newsletter featured an
article on an African book project that the Seattle Academy High School had begun. Each quarter used books are sent to the Munali High School in Lusaka, Zambia. This is a school with very few resources. Even teachers lack textbooks. Several bookcrossing
members donated money to help with book shipping as this is a rather expensive proposition. The project also later earned an African Studies Grant providing enough money to ship books for 2 years.
I am happy to report that one hidden and unanticipated benefit of the BookCrossing article recently emerged. A former student of Munali school stumbled across the article and wrote to me. Alex is presently studying for a Ph.D. in the U.S. He was curious and grateful that Seattle Academy had chosen to help his former school. Through this student, other former students of Munali School also began writing to me. We are forming an internet discussion group to keep all of us connected with the aim of sharing and furthering the Munali Book Project. I am sure that the insights of these former students will help us better serve the school by increasing our cultural awareness. We are so pleased that BookCrossing has brought us all together.
Additionally, another exciting development involves Seattle Academy's donation of laptop computers and computer training to the teachers and a few students at the Munali School. As a result of all these efforts Seattle Academy has applied to send a group of delegates to the United Nations global conference on Information Literacy. This is a huge step for our little school, so keep your fingers crossed for us.
Kathleen Johnson is the Seattle Academy Librarian
I am happy to report that one hidden and unanticipated benefit of the BookCrossing article recently emerged. A former student of Munali school stumbled across the article and wrote to me. Alex is presently studying for a Ph.D. in the U.S. He was curious and grateful that Seattle Academy had chosen to help his former school. Through this student, other former students of Munali School also began writing to me. We are forming an internet discussion group to keep all of us connected with the aim of sharing and furthering the Munali Book Project. I am sure that the insights of these former students will help us better serve the school by increasing our cultural awareness. We are so pleased that BookCrossing has brought us all together.
Additionally, another exciting development involves Seattle Academy's donation of laptop computers and computer training to the teachers and a few students at the Munali School. As a result of all these efforts Seattle Academy has applied to send a group of delegates to the United Nations global conference on Information Literacy. This is a huge step for our little school, so keep your fingers crossed for us.
Kathleen Johnson is the Seattle Academy Librarian
