Books for arson-hit schools
A charity project called Books for Children has been set up to help schools across the country hit by the recent spate of arson attacks.
Former children's TV and radio programme creator Nanthalee Rattanayong heads the project. "One day I heard about another school being burnt down and I saw a picture of its damaged library. I felt so sorry for those children not having any books to read. So, we decided to start this project," she said. Books for Children will make sure pupils get all types of books required for learning, as well as reading fun. "Story books are the perfect choice because they all need encouragement. These books not only cheer them up but exercise their imagination," project member Puangpet Supawanit said. Two schools to benefit from Books for Children are Baan Janthima in Lan Krabue district and Baan Buengluknok in Phran Kratai, both in Kamphaeng Phet province. Baan Janthima's library was destroyed by arson in late Sept last year. Its 250 pupils had no books to read or study with. A spate of school fires since the coup has been blamed on supporters of the ousted government. Local authorities have had to organise patrols to guard against school fires. The Books for Children project is raising money by selling pillows and pencil cases. There has been no help from the government or private sector so far, but it is doing well. "If everything is ready on time, we will be able to deliver books to these schools around the beginning of June," Nanthalee said. At present there are just five people working with the project. If readers want to help, they can phone 085 137-2884 or 081 589-4915.
Saichai Kirdmongkon The Nation
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