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From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Tue Aug 30 2011 - 07:44:35 EDT
All Eritreans and members of Dehai:
For those of you who are planning to attend the Festival in Washington D.C.,
re-scheduled for the 3rd and 4th of September at the Washington
Convention Center.
We are attempting to assist in the attached (*TEMESGEN BOOK DRIVE*) book
drive. For those of you who can, we are asking you to bring any book
suitable for donation.
The intention at this point is to equip the school with a diverse group of
books and reading material for its different grades and levels, 1
through 12, so that the love of books, reading and the library is instilled
in the students of the school. Books can range from educational
material to fictional. Fictional material can vary from sci-fi, fantasy,
great American novels, etc...etc... Also accepted are reference books
such as dictionaries and encyclopedias.
There will be a table set up on Saturday night at the Convention Center,
next to where you purchase the entrance tickets, to collect your
donations by Mr. Yonas Aforkie of Red Sea Shipping, 240-381-4817.
We are really looking forward to seeing you there, lets make it another
great Festival and in advance, I really want to thank you very
much for your help with this drive.
Attached below, is the story of the young man who we are dedicating this
book drive to.
Sincerely,
Anna M. Chase
*TEMESGEN BOOK DRIVE*
**
On September 7, 2009, a sixteen-year old high school student was brutally
murdered just outside his school compound, as he attempted to stop and
mediate in a fight in which he had not been involved. This tragic incident
sent shock waves throughout Asmara, Eritrea’s capital, and in every corner
of the world where Eritreans reside. It also triggered off deep discussion
on the alarming increase in crime among the youth, how to stop it and what
their activities could and should be devised to direct young peoples’
interests to move meaningful goals.
The victim, Temesgen, had been a bright student of a great deal of potential
and promise. An avid reader and a champion orator and debater, he had also
been in the school basketball team. Several projects have been proposed in
his name, some long term, others already in place. His friends have, for
example, already installed a life-size bust sculpted in his image at the
school library, from funds that they raised within the school itself. They
did his, in their own description, “To celebrate Temesgen’s love for reading
and to inspire future students to adopt his love for books.” Their gesture
comes from their conviction that a love of books and reading can divert
potential trouble makers from taking a destructive course.
This proposal and request for books aims to enhance the young students’
thoughtful contribution and to help realize their exemplary initiatives. The
library where Temesgen’s bust has been installed is poorly equipped in
academic, reference and other reading material, as are the libraries of many
other schools in the country. The intention at this point is to equip the
school with books and reading material for its different grades and levels
so that the love of books, reading and the library is instilled in the
students of the school.
The school runs at three levels; elementary, from 1-5 grades; middle school,
6-8 grades and a high school, 9-12 grades. The subjects taught at the school
and for which text books and reading material are sought at every grade are,
English, Mathematics, Social Studies, including Geography, History, Ethics,
Philosophy; Natural Sciences, including elementary and middle or junior
level general science and high school Chemistry, Biology, and Physics; and
computer science material, including computers where available, tuned to the
different levels of the school structure. Last, but equally important for
the encouragement of reading in the school and the country at large, are
stories and novels targeting children and young adults, scarce commodities
in the country. Included with the latter category are reference books, such
as encyclopedia of various.
This is just a brief description of the purposes and needs of this initial
phase of a broader project for school libraries in Eritrea at large. If more
and specific details are required, they may be supplied. Through this drive,
we are hoping to turn the tragic and cruel death of an innocent young
student into a worthy cause. The shock and genuine sorrow that such losses
bring forth can be harnessed to concentrate on the creation of an atmosphere
that discourages criminal activities among the youth. School and public
libraries form an important part of the facilities for this purpose. We hope
that this request will find favorable response from organizations and
individuals concerned with the safety and direction of young people wherever
they may live.
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