Reading
Swap, donate and educate - global non-profit champions National Book Swap Day on March 29
London – March 10, 2011 – Room to Read, a global non-profit that empowers millions of children in the developing world through education, is urging people across the UK to share their love of books and participate in the Big Book Swap, launching on March 29th 2011.
The Big Book Swap is an initiative designed to bring people together through a shared interest in books and raise money to support Room to Read’s work in transforming the lives of children in the developing world through literacy and gender equality in education. Events will take place up and down the country with each event seeing people come together to swap their favourite books along with stories about why they love them – did they make them laugh, cry or see the world in a different way? Participants will match the price of each swapped book with a donation to the ‘Big Book Pot’.
“Our aim is for as many Book Swaps as possible to happen across the UK,” explains Nina Hind, leader of Room to Read’s London Chapter, a group of volunteers that fundraise and promote Room to Read within their networks. “Everyone has a favourite book or a book that really struck a chord for them. Room to Read is encouraging people to share these experiences in order to raise funds to help those growing up in the developing world to share similar experiences, experiences that are only possible through literacy.”
Every £10 donated to the London Chapter Big Book Swap buys ten local language books for children in communities across Asia and Africa.
Getting involved couldn’t be easier. From intimate gatherings at home to lunch-time events in the office or larger parties in a local venue, a Book Swap can take many forms. Room to Read London’s chapter is leading the way with events at a pub in Fulham, a café get-together for mums and children in west London, a social gathering in a book store in London’s West End and another in the City.
“We’ve scheduled a whole range of Book Swap events!” continues Nina. “But anyone can organise a Book Swap, wherever they are, and tailor it exactly how they want. They will be great opportunities to meet new people, share stories and come away with new books and the inspiration to get reading. The more events that are organised the more people can come together in this way and the more money we can raise to support literacy in the developing world.”
Room to Read has established over 11,000 libraries, published nearly 500 original local language children’s books, and distributed 7.4 million books in the developing world since it was founded in 2000.
The Big Book Swap marks the start of an initiative that Room to Read hopes to continue as an ongoing fundraising concept. By encouraging book swapping and donating Room to Read is launching an initiative that speaks to the organisation’s core belief; that world change starts with educated children.
About Room to Read;
Room to Read is a global organization seeking to transform the lives of millions of children in the developing world by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Founded on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children, Room to Read works in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children and to ensure girls have the skills and support needed to complete their secondary education. Since 2000, Room to Read has impacted the lives of more than four million children in Asia and Africa and aims to reach 10 million children by 2015
Tagged in Books