As a child going through school, I definitely looked forward to receiving a (free) book through the Reading is Fundamental program. I was also raised in a household that valued and encouraged me to read, so I received books at other times throughout the year.
In Libya, a program similar to RIF, Project MyBook, is starting up, as part of the Free Generation Movement of Libya. In a few short weeks, the first five books of the Harry Potter series, in Arabic, will be donated to this program, and I hope to acquire the remaining two within a couple of months time as well. I would love to see this program become something similar to RIF, so that children all around Libya are exposed to the joys of reading. I have watched the videos of Project MyBook, and it was truly inspirational.
What also spurred my interest in this field is an enjoyment of educating others, and also, a realization of the following statistics, from the CIA World Factbook's entry on Libya (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ly.html). This is the stats on literacy, as of 2003:
In Libya, a program similar to RIF, Project MyBook, is starting up, as part of the Free Generation Movement of Libya. In a few short weeks, the first five books of the Harry Potter series, in Arabic, will be donated to this program, and I hope to acquire the remaining two within a couple of months time as well. I would love to see this program become something similar to RIF, so that children all around Libya are exposed to the joys of reading. I have watched the videos of Project MyBook, and it was truly inspirational.
What also spurred my interest in this field is an enjoyment of educating others, and also, a realization of the following statistics, from the CIA World Factbook's entry on Libya (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ly.html). This is the stats on literacy, as of 2003:
definition of literacy: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 82.6%
male: 92.4%
female: 72% (2003 est.)
When only about three out of every four women can read and write, but nearly every male can, that's when my claws and horns come out. EVERY person, regardless of their gender, family status, religion, culture, etc., deserves the same educational opportunities. Project MyBook will no doubt change this. I have also been told by someone I definitely respect and admire, who formerly worked for the NOC, that families are now having to choose between having their children learn English (which was discouraged under the old regime) and adequately feed them. That saddens me. Every child deserves the chance to learn... and learn skills (such as "foreign language") that will enable them to be a success in this ever changing world.
Please, go to this site, http://mybook.fgmovement.org/ to find out about this important venture, as well as find ways that you can help. The late and great Mohandas Gandhi said it best when he said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
A change I wish to see in the world is people from around the world, especially here in the U.S., banding together to help this program, and help the children of Libya to have the same opportunities that children in our country have. For people that read this be inspired, as I was, to get involved with it, in whatever way they can, to share their talent (by volunteering in Libya), their treasure (by donating books or money to the program) and their time (by volunteering in Libya).
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