‘Education is change’, so why not give some change?

Some of you may have heard about the ambitious, big-in-heart, project my friend Tom has been devoting every waking hour to – The Library Project.

When I wrote about it at its inception last November, I admit, I didn’t have half the vision towards it that Tom so obviously does.

I thought it would be a small local charity in north-eastern China, and a really nice thing to do. But Tom saw things differently, and continues to do so. He saw, rightfully, that these libraries are a real opportunity to make a difference, and bring positive change to poverty-stricken areas.

In the intervening months he has expanded what was then supplying just two Dalian orphanages with books into what he plans will be 80 libraries across Asia by 2009. Helping meet this goal, The Library Project has just partnered with Aston English Schools (AES) in creating the Aston Library Project. Aston and The Library Project will be hosting book drives at AES’ network of English schools across China, and hope to collect upwards of 50,000 books and open around 40 new libraries, complete with tables, chairs, mats and lighting.

As mentioned, Tom’s a buddy of mine, and we’ve shared more than one late-night visit to the local lounge to discuss the world’s problems (him mostly focusing on solutions – the guy that he is). As such, I decided to pick his brain a bit and came up with the following Q&A about this fantastic altruistic endeavor.

A Q&A with Tom from The Library Project

1. What first motivated you to start this ambitious project?
Aston English, an English language educator in China, had asked The Library Project to put together a charity program for their schools in Dalian, China.

We very quickly came up with the idea of a book drive at their schools over a two week period, which raised over 6,000 local language and English books. We then donated those books, along with tables, chairs, book shelves, posters and lighting to two orphanages in Dalian. The project was an incredible success. It went well beyond everyone’s expectations.

2. At the time, did you see it expanding to what it’s become now?
At the time, no, I did not see it growing to what it has become. Soon after the initial two libraries were complete in January 2006, The Library Project began providing libraries to orphanages and elementary schools in Vietnam. Over the past six months we have provided seven libraries, with another eight more planned this year in Vietnam.

China will experience the most growth in the future though. By the end of 2008 we will have provided over 80 libraries in Asia. The number of libraries will double in 2009 and then double again to well over 300 in 2010.

3. What’s been the most rewarding or touching moment since starting this project?
There have been so many. Really, there have been. Just this morning we donated a box of books to an orphanage/clinic for street kids with HIV/AIDS in Vietnam’s countryside. I always worry about how we will be accepted, if at all, by the children when we set up their small libraries. This orphanage was so poor, and had so little, that once the bright fun books were brought out they literally tore right into them. I don’t even think they noticed we were there! It was great fun!

4. What have been the biggest challenges?
Three things: funding, funding and funding. Not to over simplify things, but without money, we can’t buy books. At a dollar a book, most of us can afford to buy 10, 20 or even 100 books. The libraries we provide are very cheap, so even a small donation can be a huge portion of the whole library in a school or orphanage.

5. What’s the future of the project (specifically as it relates to China)?
Our goal is to provide over 300 libraries annually by 2010 in China. We have big dreams. There is no way we will be able to attain these goals without help from people. If you would like to get involved, contact The Library Project anytime.

6. So, you’ve been in Vietnam, helping bring this project there, how has it been received?
If has been received very well. Our libraries tend to be much smaller in Vietnam. This is because The Library Project must purchase all books from book stores and publishers based in Vietnam, due to the government here being concerned about what their children are learning in their schools. This is great for us, because we have full control over what is in their libraries.

The Library Project provides an alternative curriculum to the children’s daily lessons. The books we provide range from history, science, fairy tales, and comics that are relevant to a Vietnamese child. All books are in color, and of the highest quality. The children love reading the books we provide, and the teachers have all been very pleased how well our books fit within their lessons. Vietnam has been a huge success!

7. Are there plans to expand to other countries, either in S.E. Asia, or elsewhere?
We are currently in China and Vietnam. We have our hands full for at least the next two years. Our goal at The Library Project is to set up offices in both China and Vietnam and scale the organization based on our fund raising goals being met. Balancing our growth and providing quality libraries for each elementary school and orphanage is the first and foremost priority at The Library Project. Improving the children’s overall education at each school is our mission.

8. As expats in a country with a huge impoverished population, do you think us ‘laowai’ have an obligation of sorts to help out?
Every laowai helps in one way or another in Asia. Some of us are business owners that hire locals, which in turn provides for their employee’s families. We all shop in stores, eat in restaurants, and indirectly open up a world of culture that many local Chinese have never experienced. This should never be forgotten, or looked down upon.

I will say this, I believe that when presented with an avenue to give something back, or to help those in need, I rarely have ever met anyone from any culture that has not risen to the challenge. This helps to give everyone at The Library Project the inspiration to build the best organization that helps improve the education of children in Asia.

9. If you could say to people directly, like buddy-to-buddy, why they should get involved with this project, what would you say?
Education is change. The Library Project was founded on the simple ideal that education is change. Education is the catalyst which breaks the cycle of poverty in the developing world and provides children with the opportunity for a positive future. Education is also empowerment. If we educate the children of the developing world, we give them the power to reach their goals. Education opens the doors of opportunity for children and provides them with the tools for a better future for both them and their families.

10. And if people don’t have money, is there any other way they can get involved?
Yes. You can make a huge difference in the lives of countless children in the developing world by becoming a volunteer. There are so many different ways to volunteer: you can throw a wine tasting or dinner to introduce The Library Project to others, hang a poster above the water cooler at your office, or introduce us to your company’s HR Department.

If you are located in China, you can help with the physical donation of the library to the school or orphanage.

Thanks Tom.

The Library Project donates books and libraries to under privileged schools and orphanages in the developing world. If you would like to get involved, please contact Tom directly at tom@library-project.org, or visit their informative site for all the details.

Additionally, should you like to dress up your desktop with some fantastic photography by Hong Kong-based photographer Derrick Chang, check out The Library Project’s free screen saver (available for both Mac and PC)

One of the benefits of running a blog, over traditional media, is that I can give a damn about what I’m writing about. And to show my support, I (via Lost Laowai) have subscribed to donate 72 books to The Library Project. Be sure to look into how you can get involved!