Get them into the habit of reading

Re: "Fewer children seen frequenting libraries", Education, January 14.

I strongly agree with Arunee Promma, secretary-general of the Sikkha Asia Foundation, who said we should try to listen to what people in communities want and that we should encourage more people to go to libraries.

Here is an inspirational example for kids see the importance of reading and how it can affect their future: It is the true story of 18-year-old homeless girl Khadijah Williams, in Los Angeles. She'd moved from shelter to shelter with her mother and sister since she was six. She attended 12 different schools over 12 years. However, she was able to study and catch up with her friends by spending time after school every day at the public library.

She was really fond of reading and forced herself to learn for success. She never stopped believing in education and eventually graduated from high school with honours. Then she was chosen to study at Havard.

Knowledge from reading might not be promptly effective - it must be accumulated - but Khadijah was not afraid of the burden, and she proved that time invested in reading does lead to achievement.

If children use libraries where they are available, they could achieve as much as Khadijah.

Sutipunt Bongsununt

Kanchanaburi