Pass Love, Build 100 Libraries for 100,000 Poor Rural Kids
100万美元 建100座优质图书馆 服务中国10万贫困孩子
1. The Issue
8,000,000 rural children in China have no access to reading materials other than textbooks. Information literacy is a basic human right. However, extreme poverty has put these children at a significant disadvantage. Such disadvantage casts a shadow on their early development with long lasting effects. The key solution is to provide them literate environment, particularly libraries. Founding members of Pass Love Charity Foundation (PLCF) started sending books to help thousands of children from 2004. In 2008, PLCF launched Dandelion Village Library Program and has rapidly established 10 quality libraries in poorest areas of China to help rural children and teachers.
By providing quality books and child-friendly environments, and engaging children with books in meaningful ways, Dandelion Village Library Program effectively sparks children’s passion for reading and helps them develop a lifelong habit of reading. Many people consider these libraries the best rural libraries in China.
2. The Plan
The $1MM would help PLCF build 100 quality Dandelion Village Libraries in 4 years, making a huge difference for the future of 100,000 impoverished children and their families. Our team with educational skills and professional experience will make it come true:
1 Provide high quality rural-responsive reading materials
2 Create a child-friendly environment
3 Provide professional development sessions
4 Help teachers use library resources in classroom and after-school activities, and integrate reading with writing.
An evaluation conducted 10 months after the opening of the 1st Dandelion Village Library shows:
83% of 3rd-6th graders gained pleasure;
76% ignited reading passion;
71% improved knowledge;
60% developed learning skills.
The cost per library: 3000+ books $4,000; Teacher training $2,500; Furniture/supplies $2,500; Operating/maintenance in 4 years $1000.
PLCF is the ideal choice for the $1MM because it will make lifelong impact to 100,000 children in a proven effective way.
3. The Outcome
We set our goals based on outcomes identified from existing libraries. The Big Ideas will help us:
1 Build 100 Dandelion Village Libraries and enhance the literacy awareness and skills of 100 village elementary schools and 100,000 community members.
2 Create ecology of reading by making wise use of local districts, volunteers, families and schools to ensure the sustainability of libraries.
3 Construct an interactive network among libraries through the apprenticeship program and monthly inter-libraries activities to improve the efficiency of library use.
4 Provide 6 training sessions per year for village teachers and help them incorporate library resources into their teaching.
5 Help 75% or more of village children develop reading passion; 70% improve knowledge & skills; 60% form a sense of community and care about the development of local community, based on our pilot work. In 2008-09 we built 10 libraries.
Timeline:
2010:10 libraries;
2011:20 libraries;
2012:30 libraries;
2013:40 libraries
