In a bid to enhance literacy levels and the conservation education outreach program in Uganda, Books For Development, a Nonprofit Organization based in Houston, Texas has partnered with Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) to launch a base library at the Zoo and establish a set of 50 mobile libraries for school children living on the islands of Lake Victoria.
Books For Development aims to address the book famine that exists in many developing countries by creating libraries, community, school and mobile, through the use of volunteers and donated or very low-cost books.
Mark Cotham, President of Books For Development says opening a Conservation and Education library is like planting and growing a tree.
“Books are only good if they are put to use. We need to get people interested in utilizing the library. As adults, we should inspire the children, by reading first and getting knowledgeable. The 50 mobile libraries are part of a pilot on Lake Victoria. The children will study about animals, learn and appreciate them.” Cotham said.
In his remarks, UWEC Executive Director Dr, James Musinguzi commends and supports the efforts towards improving the development and self-confidence of children through reading “The concept of mobile libraries is a unique resource for the first time in our conservation education mandate. It is so important that children on the islands of Lake Victoria and other parts of Uganda are given a firm foundation in life by encouraging them to read and shape the conservation narrative from a young age. Our commitment is to make reading easily available to them.”
He thanked Books for Development for the donation and initiative to establish 50 mobile libraries across Uganda as a way of promoting not only the reading culture among children but also promote wildlife conservation through reading and appreciation of the interrelationship among humans, wildlife and the ecosystem.
To mark the beginning of a fruitful and exciting relationship, UWEC Executive Director and President Books For Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UWEC and Books For Development.
The MOU is aimed at facilitating the working relation between the two institution and setting the ground for UWEC to identify and recommend the various sites for establishment of the 50 mobile libraries.
