The great book search.

Time to add books to the library!

I successfully submitted an application to the Darian Book Aid Plan. We're on their (four month) waiting list right now. So once they process our request, they should be shipping four very large boxes of books our way. Then, we'll have to wait for them to make their way across the Pacific Ocean on a slow boat. We are hoping they'll arrive before the end of the school year.

In the meantime ... you can help!

(warning: here comes my pitch)

If you are interested in women’s education in the Pacific Islands, I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that making a donation to the ONLY all-girls high school in Micronesia is the most direct way to make an impact in this region. That is of two-fold importance. First, because improved education is one of the quickest way to improve the lives of individuals. Second, because improving education among women is one of the quickest ways to improve the lives of all the members in a community, and their future generations.

Culturally speaking, Micronesian women are central to food preparation, health care and child rearing. As their understanding of (for instance) communicable diseases improves, the health of their entire clan improves exponentially. As their critical reasoning and problem-solving skills improve, so also does their economic stability. At Bethania, we have the benefit of educating women from all over this region -- from the Federated States of Micronesia, from The Republic of the Marshal Islands, from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and more. All of these girls take what they learn here, on this campus, pack it into their proverbial suitcases, and are then scattered by the winds of the south seas across the Pacific Ocean. It's a rare and wonderful opportunity to touch so many different islands with one single library.

Beyond just education for WOMEN, English education is a priority in this country. The Peace Corps works with host countries, has them identify their own needs, and then partners with them to help them achieve their own goals. That's why we're here teaching Enlgish. The Micronesian governments have identified improving English reading comprehension levels as one of their priorities. And it's not hard to see why. All the textbooks and materials in this region are in English, and if you can't read and understand the material, your learning is dramatically stunted. The key to unlocking science, math, health, religion, and social studies is truly English. There simply are not materials written in these island languages, thus the only way to gain the knowledge they hold, is by learning to read in English.  And the best way to improve their reading comprehension is to give them books that they enjoy reading!

To make library donations easier, and because we have limited space in our little "iLibrary," I've created an Amazon.com "wish list." On the wish list, I've included books that the girls LOVE reading as highest priority. And missing books from the series that they check out often are labeled with high priority. I have also included other books that I think will round out the collection, like art books and Newberry award-winners, etc. Feel free to browse the list, get a feel for what the library might need and find similar titles, authors, or series.

Bethania Library - Book List

I've also created a library supply list based on recommendations from the Peace Corps "How to Set-up a Library" publication. It includes things like ... book glue, mending tape, CD/DVD organizers, book ends, etc. I also put a few "fun things" on the list, like dominoes, checkers, backgammon and chess pieces etc., in an effort to improve critical thinking skills and impart a "number sense." (p.s. Right now, I'm desperately in need of those book supplies, so that I can get the books covered and protected and mended to try and make the donations we receive last longer.)

Bethania Library - Supply List

A note on the links: If these links don't work, you can go to Amazon and click on "wish lists". Then select "Search for a Wish List" and it takes you to a screen where you can search for "bethania library". Our lists should pop up at the top of that search.)

A note on shipping: Shipments usually get here in 7-10 days. And we're very lucky in Palau, we don't have any trouble with boxes being opened or stolen. The important things to remember when shipping books are: 1) use a flat-rate box!!! shipping with "media rate" means it won't get here for many, many months, and 2) where the form says to write the "state," you should write "PW".


Shipping information is saved in our Amazon wishlist, but here's the address for your reference.

You can ship to:

Ingrid Hurt, PCV
c/o Bethania High School
P.O. Box 8028
Koror, PW 96940
Palau