Upcountry books bonanza

Two schoolgirls read a Thai folktale at a ceremony to provide 1,000 books for Ban Huay Gung School in Mae Hong Son’s Sop Moei district last week.

There's a simple reason you rarely see rural kids reading: they can't afford the books they are interested in. Even when they go to libraries, there's nothing to tempt them on the shelves.

According to an Abac Poll, 16.4 per cent of children say they don't have access to books while 25.2 per cent say the books they like are too expensive.

Concerned about these findings, the Amway for Thai Society Foundation has introduced the "One by One: World of Wisdom" campaign. It was responsible for a book bonanza at 10 rural schools in the North last year.

"We organised events to gather over 20,000 children's books for the schools," says Sorot Vorasutika, a foundation committee member.

Special delivery

A caravan loaded with 1,000 books reached a remote library in Mae Hong Son last week.

"There's a big variety of reading matter, which is great for the children," Ban Huay Gung School director Wanrabiab Boonkerd says.

Taking children from kindergarten to Grade 9, her school has about 150 students, most of them Karen.

Saengduen Samranpaisan, a Grade9 student, was delighted with the pile of donated books.

"They are very uptodate. Some cover issues like global warming," she says enthusiastically.

Wanrabiab plans to allow members of the general public to use her school's library too.

"That way, more people will receive the benefits," she says. "Many of our schoolleavers can't afford to continue their education. Allowing them to read books here means they will still be able to expand their knowledge."

Sorot expects the campaign to reach more than 3,000 children living in remote areas.

"Next year, we'll send books to five more schools," he says.