Help Create a Library in Kerala

Katherine Coussement Start Date: Aug 2, 2015 - End Date: Nov 29, 2015

My Travel Story

by: Katherine Coussement Start Date: Aug 2, 2015 - End Date: Nov 29, 2015
Since studying to become a librarian in 2010 I have been interested in volunteering in a developing country to help build or run a library, so that access to information, lifelong learning and opportunities to flourish can be more easily available to those who might not otherwise benefit from them.

A throwaway remark to a friend in April 2015 led to the chance of a lifetime – the opportunity to work with a local charity to provide a library to a rural village in Southern India. The village consists of six houses at present, as well as a nursery and an IT centre, both of which are used by the surrounding community as well as the village children. A library would be a real asset to the people of the community.

The space for the library is in place. The charity has offered to make the room available to me free of charge to enable me to get the project off the ground. Many books have been donated by a UK school. What is needed now is someone to plan, furnish and organise the library itself, and get it up and running. That will be my task in August 2016, when I travel to Kerala.  It’s a long-held ambition that you can help me to achieve. By donating to my fund you will be helping to give a library to a community.

I’m a passionate believer in the idea that libraries change lives. That might be public libraries in rich or poor countries, school libraries, tiny community branches or grand municipal buildings. They empower, they open doors, they support people to find and use the information that is vital to engagement and citizenship.  Libraries  “contribute to the reduction of poverty, exclusion and inequality by helping citizens develop skills to effectively seek, access, and use information in all forms” (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions).

Will you help? Thank you!

Updates

15
  • Massive Thanks To All

    As this campaign comes to an end I'd like to repeat my thanks to all of you who have kindly donated to the fund, most recently Emily Wheeler, Gillian, Niamh Cullen, and John Billingsley. Just to reiterate that the £905 total showing on here is actually £1,400 with other donations that I have received. Fantastic.

    I will continue to raise funds as the time gets closer, if you have not yet been able to contribute!

    Thanks again, and watch this space.....

    Katherine
  • WOW!

    Fantastic boost to the funds from my amazing Dad, who took part in the Pedal for Scotland bike ride on September 6th and has raised £240 for me! I'm almost there! Thanks once more to all who have donated.