CAPTION: Shiu Nandan donates books during the Nausori High School Library week.
Passionate Vodafone Fiji Employees executed a book drive after need was identified that many rural schools need library books to promote reading among young people. Literacy is essential to social and human development at all levels in its ability to transform lives. For individuals, families, and societies alike, it is an instrument of empowerment to improve one’s health, one’s income, and one’s relationship with the world with an understanding of what happening around us.
The book drive was mooted when the Ministry of Education called on students all over the country to develop a culture of reading to enhance their knowledge, gain information of the country and the world, said Vodafone Fiji Limited Shiu Nandan. Several cartons of books were donated by many passionate staff and partners of Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation at the Nausori High School Library week celebration.
During handover speech, the Principal Mr. Praveen Chand, acknowledged the efforts of the people that put together the book drive to assist the school and ATH foundation for overseeing the initiative. Books are a beacon for creativity, imagination and knowledge which if understood can also bring about positive social change, said Foundation Executive, Ambalika Devi. Sometimes we restrict ourselves to reading only with academic performance, consequently, it’s imperative to understand that books also allows us to discover new universes and enrich our vision and knowledge of the world. Books can also offer a window on other people’s vision, culture and lifestyle, encouraging a better understanding of the other and a growing respect for cultural diversity and world around us, she said.
Our children and youths are carrier of knowledge into the future hence they need to be empowered with availability of library books and reading materials. Fostering a culture of reading should also be responsibility of all relevant stakeholders like parents, teachers and the community at large to contribute to their educational development. Mr. Nandan said that they will continue to run similar book drives to help other needy schools in the interiors. This can be achieved at a bigger scale if our corporate businesses join hands, he said.
Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation’s principle is to reach larger vulnerable population, think big and energize younger generation to make informed decision on its own development.
The plan to help schools via book drives fits in well with the aspiration, said Mr. Nandan. This excellent initiative that engaged schools, parents, communities and corporate houses has the power to bring about remarkable social change. Last month, the employee engagement team also handed over library books to Burebasaga Primary School and plans are to rollout in more schools. At this juncture we would like to acknowledge the support of all those who made this drive and handover of books possible.
VODAFONE