I am proud to say that we have officially raised 25% of the
money for the reading room project! Thank you so much to everyone who has
donated, it really means the world to us. I believe that access to books and
computers should be an integral part of every community, and our dream is to
make them a part of this one. However, you’ve only been hearing my perspective on
this project. I want to share what people in my community think about the
reading room too. So, I have started interviewing people from the community in
order to gather and share their thoughts on my blog.
For my first interview I spoke with the community social
worker. Her name is Bonolo and here are her thoughts on the importance of
books:
T: Dumela (hello), thank you for taking the time to speak
with me.
B: Dumela, it is my pleasure.
T: I’ve been told that you’re rarely seen without a book,
why do you like to read?
B: I read for pleasure and to improve my vocabulary.
T: What kinds of books do you like?
B: I love fiction, especially romance novels. I have a big
pile of books at home, it comes in handy because right now I’m moving and don’t
have electricity or TV in my new house.
T: Where do you get your books?
B: Most of the books I have, I got when I was still in
tertiary school (at University of Botswana). While at school, you can’t do well
if you are just reading novels, so I just bought them and stored them up for
future use. Some I haven’t read yet, but most I am re-reading. There are no new
books in this small village.
I had a library card when I lived in Tutume. There was a
mobile library, but in this area I have never seen a mobile library.
T: Do you have a favorite book?
B: My favorite book is Rhapsody of Realities – it is a daily
devotional that helps to build and increase a person’s faith in Christ Jesus.
The author is Chris Oyakhilome who is also the founder of Christ Embassy Church.
T: Why do you want a reading room for the community?
B: It’s nice to have a reading room because the kids in
these small schools, they don’t have enough books at school. And when the
school is closed, the school library is closed. Kids are just idle on the
weekends, waiting for Monday.
In Tswana culture, people like sending kids to the fields or
helping around the house. Children are helping their parents. I think it will
help the kids to have a place to relax and read. When you don’t have anywhere
to go, you end up overdoing it with household work.
T: Do you think adults could benefit from the reading room
as well?
B: Yes, there is a non-formal education class in the
community to teach the elderly how to read and write. This class is for the
elderly who love to read or want to learn to. They could especially benefit
from the reading room.
T: Thank you for taking the time to speak with me.
B: You’re welcome.
Bonolo - community social worker and interviewee
If you would like to support the reading room project,
please follow the link below to donate!!
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