By Jessica Faulkner
Published January 15, 2015
Book Aid International, that has been developing special reading sections for children in public libraries in Africa through its Open Doors programme, is in 2015 setting its sights on Malawi.
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Children’s Corners, that Book Aid says “provide child-friendly spaces where children can enjoy learning and reading for pleasure”, have already been set up in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Cameroon.
Now, with some £175,000 from players of People’ Postcode Lottery, Book Aid says it shall use the money in setting up “a further five Children’s Corners in Malawi in 2015.”
Representatives from People’s Postcode Lottery were shown around a newly refurbished Children’s Corner in Blantyre, Malawi, in July 2014.
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“We had the privilege of being able to see Book Aid International’s work in action in Blantyre, Malawi with its partner the Malawi National Library Service. We were so struck by the enthusiasm of children for the new Children’s Corner; they really were thrilled that the library had this fabulous new space for them – a bright airy room, filled with murals, children’s furniture and of course, hundreds of brand new books from the UK – all made possible by Book Aid International,” observed Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, after the tour.
Alison Hubert, Director of Book Aid International, said Book Aid International would “be even more ambitious in our work to transform library services for children in sub-Saharan Africa, thanks to this generous support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.”
A small team from Book Aid International is off to Malawi at the end of January 2015 to embark on the next stage of the work there. The team will visit libraries, meet their partners in the Malawi National Library Service and run librarian training in the southern African country.
People’s Postcode Lottery manages society lotteries on behalf of a range of charitable bodies. These lotteries support charities and good causes.
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