Delivering Books to Village Library!

What it Takes to Deliver Books to a Village Library
January 23, 2008 by Kim, Seattle, WA
One trip to the Luang Prabang Tourist Department, Two Trips to the Police Station, a tuk tuk ride to the Department of Education (to make sure they approve the books and that I am not trying to brainwash the children of Laos with western propaganda) and after all of this... a license to travel outside of Luang Prabang. If our local bus was stopped and I was traveling without this license it could spell trouble. So after a few days of errand running and wrangling on Sengkham's tenacious part we are off to his village to deliver the books!

We board the local bus for our three hour journey to Mueng PhoneXay (spelling?) There is much jostling and hand gripping as we make our way. We are joined by chickens, pigs, respected elders with no teeth and babies swaddled at their mothers chest along the way. The young men make their way to the top of the bus as capacity overflows.

I passed on the option of the formal ceremony to honor the book delivery. Rather we are greeted by the Head of Cultural Affairs for the entire district, the two librarians and a gaggle of kids that were clamoring for the new books. I kid you not. There 15-20 kids flowing in and out of the library during the hour I was there. The library's concrete floors also serve as the daycare for some babies whose 6-7 year old siblings are their caretakes while their parents work. The library is in need of more chairs/benches, a table, and some rugs to soften the aforementioned concrete floors. There are anatomy posters, kids drawings on the wall, and lots of smiling faces from these beautiful children. They keep handing me book after book to read to them in English...I am no English teacher so I keep it simple and just read from the books.

These books have found a home where they are so appreciated and needed...I have to say this is one of the top feel good moments of my 6 month journey in Asia.
The more I travel I realize just how fundamental literacy, knowledge and learning English is for these smaller villages. As electricity, technology and tourism makes its way to this small village, it is those that speak English, that have critical thinking skills, who can, hopefully, be part of the process of how all of this impacts their village rather than only a select few and/or folks from outside the village. These children will have greater access to learning locally and won't have to leave the village for their education. And for those who would not have been able to leave as they are needed at home to work, they can increase their learning and literacy by having access to free books. Increased Education usually corrolates with improved health care, disease control, economic opportunity...the list goes on. So Sengkham, keep up the great work! Your vision of a library overflowing with books, ideas and opportunity is a beautiful and important vision that I hope others will support you in creating.