This week PaperTigers launched its Spirit of PaperTigers Project (SPT) which involves the donating of book sets for children to libraries and schools in developing countries. With the recent earthquake in Haiti, people’s hearts and minds are focused on how they can assist this particular developing country in this time of need. When asked about where author of one of the SPT book set titles, Bolormaa Basaansen, would like her books sent, she said:
I would like to send it to every country in the world! But right now, I would like to send it to Haiti, most of all. Now, after the earthquake, its people, especially the children, are going through very hard times. I like to imagine the children of Haiti forgetting their current hardships even just for a moment, by immersing themselves in a picture book.
It is true that even ‘just for a moment,’ books can provide a release and so much more. And the ’so much more’ part of the equation is what the SPT project is all about. After all the aid and rescue teams have departed from Haiti, its citizens will have to begin anew the task of rebuilding their society. Goals like providing a basic education for its children and increasing literacy will become more apparent in the coming months and years of recovery ahead.
Two weeks ago, I mentioned IBBY’s Fund for Children in Crisis. They have a project in Haiti with ongoing and current news available on their website. Other organizations that have come to my attention for their work in Haiti on the educational front are EMAS (Educational Medical Aid Society) and Yéle Haiti. Perhaps you know of organizations like these that are doing good work in Haiti. Leave us a link in the comments section to share a website of an organization you know of that promotes education and literacy in developing countries like Haiti. While it has not yet been determined where the SPT book sets will go — there are considerations of language since the SPT books are in English — places like Haiti will be the target locations.
Giving books to children may seem like a small step but it is a step that PaperTigers feels worth taking through this special Spirit of PaperTigers outreach initiative.