The night before we boarded our flight(s) to Africa, we carefully packed 6 boxes full of books donated by the good people of Del Sur Elementary. We were thrilled by the quantity and quality of the books donated. This precious cargo, combined with the shipment from Books Across Borders, would provide the foundation of reading materials for the library. Indeed, we were VERY happy to see all 6 boxes when we went to the luggage carousel in Lilongwe!
After loading the boxes into our rental truck at the airport, Meagan and Park headed straight to the bookstores to carefully spend the $2000 raised through your generous donations to The Tipping Bucket.
There were books in Chichewa (the local language), easy readers, reference guides and textbooks.
Then it was time to drive the hour to the village, unpack and stock the shelves with books.
While doing so, we were visited by some of the local adult literacy class members.
They will use the library and its conference area to meet twice a week. They expressed their gratitude for this new structure.
Amazingly, the shelves were perfectly filled. They were carefully organized by reading level and content.
The village requested a special remembrance be placed in the library for both the visionaries...
and those who made contributions.
The opening ceremonies took place on World Literacy Day, Wednesday September 8th
The entire school and surrounding area was represented with students, teachers, village chiefs, a representative from Parliament and volunteers of the Peace Corps.
It was every bit memorable and a celebration.
So thank you for your help! It turns out every little bit can make a big difference.
Love
the Begley Family
After loading the boxes into our rental truck at the airport, Meagan and Park headed straight to the bookstores to carefully spend the $2000 raised through your generous donations to The Tipping Bucket.
There were books in Chichewa (the local language), easy readers, reference guides and textbooks.
Then it was time to drive the hour to the village, unpack and stock the shelves with books.
While doing so, we were visited by some of the local adult literacy class members.
They will use the library and its conference area to meet twice a week. They expressed their gratitude for this new structure.
Amazingly, the shelves were perfectly filled. They were carefully organized by reading level and content.
The village requested a special remembrance be placed in the library for both the visionaries...
and those who made contributions.
The opening ceremonies took place on World Literacy Day, Wednesday September 8th
The entire school and surrounding area was represented with students, teachers, village chiefs, a representative from Parliament and volunteers of the Peace Corps.
It was every bit memorable and a celebration.
So thank you for your help! It turns out every little bit can make a big difference.Love
the Begley Family
Good luck for that wonderful project.
ReplyDeleteYou're a very special boy, with a very special family.
Congrats on your effort.
Always look ahead, you can do so much more...
Park- we are all so proud of you! What a wonderful, selfless thing you are doing for this community in need! I got chills reading about your trip and thinking about the difference you are making in these people's lives. Keep up the good work! - Kimberly Wilkins
ReplyDeleteI am all teary just watching the video. What a SUPER and GREAT thing that has been given to the people of this village... and you got to help. I'm so proud to have known you Park!
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed with what you did! I wish I could have been there! Park, you remind me so much of your mom. She is AMAZING! You are such a great family and I wish you lived close. I am so proud to know you all!
ReplyDeleteLove, Corrie Kraatz