We Need Books for Children and Youth

If you have been reading this blog you know that Debbie and I are in-service teacher trainers in one of the most remote parts of Tanzania. Our home is a three hour bus ride (if the bus doesn't break down—which is unusual) from the pavement along a dirt track.

One of the challenges that we face in our work is the lack of English language primary story books and literature aimed at youth. In fact the students here have almost nothing to read at all in any genre. Most of the classes are between 60 and 70 students. If things are going well three students share a textbook.

We are volunteering in one of the poorest areas of the country. Many of the students go to school with more holes in their clothing than thread. But they are keen to learn English. Given their material conditions this is hard to believe but it is true. We have seen it with our own eyes.

So this is an appeal to the generosity of our readers. If you have access to children's literature or youth literature would you kindly stick it in the mail and send it to us. Maybe there are some old books around your house that are just gathering dust or maybe you work in a school and have access to discarded or seldom read books. Anything is much appreciated.

Our mailing address is:

Peter and Debra Martyn

Community Education Resource Centre (CERC)

PO Box 48

Kibaya, Kiteto

TANZANIA

We know that postage is expensive so we don't expect a huge carton of books (although a huge carton would be great). Just a few could help out some very poor but keen students.