“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
On September 1st, 2012, the Planeterra Foundation Community Library in El Tod, Egypt opened it’s doors and welcomed in it’s first readers. A “new chapter” in the community was written.
El Tod is located just outside the hustle and bustle of the busy tourist hub of Luxor. Unfortunately the benefits of tourism does not reach the local communities that surround this region, and programs that are based on community education are urgently needed. Our local partner is working towards creating a centre of learning by converting their community centre (the Rababah Community Centre) into a place where local families are offered English lessons and childhood education is set at affordable costs to the community.
This library is the first few pages towards this dream. Our local partner Kris describes the day of the opening and the atmosphere within the community:
Mr. Bruno Nève de Mévergnies, a Belgium Ambassador, praised the importance of the Rababah Community Centre for the citizens of El Tod. He congratulated everyone who was involved and is sure that the library is a significant step forward towards education for children in the community. He also states that the Planeterra Foundation Community Library will help these children discover the intriguing world of reading books.
Children’s books were generously donated by Ms. Sharon Marcotte and her granddaughter Alex and Alex’s school. Professor Graham McClelland was also present to open the library officially. It was great to see the people of El Tod eager to visit the library.
Within one weekend, we had 98 visitors and our first reading class is almost fully booked!
Planeterra’s Co-Executive Director, Megan Epler Wood, also sent well wishes: “Good luck on your opening day from all of us at Planeterra!” A message that was well received. On behalf of the citizens of El Tod, and all the volunteers, we wish to thank Planeterra Foundation once again for their amazing help!
Kris is Planeterra’s local ground partner and one of the founders of Live is Beautiful.
If you are travelling to Luxor and have English books you would like to donate, Kris and the team at Live is Beautiful always welcomes donations towards the Planeterra Foundation Community Library.
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