Sandals Foundation holds Book Drive today.

Sat, Oct 1st 2011, 11:53 AM

Today, the community will come together to celebrate reading and foster a love of learning at the Sandals Foundation Book Fair, where participants can bring their used books to be donated to those in need.  "Books open up a lot of possibilities, not just educational but on a whole developmental level," says Rupert Missick, public relations manager for Sandals Royal Bahamian.  "It's important for children to be surrounded by the printed word."

Indeed, numerous studies have shown children's exposure to books can greatly benefit their intellectual development and hunger for learning.  One such study, says Missick, published in the Research in Social Stratification and Mobility journal by M.D.R. Edwards, Jonathan Kelley, Joanna Sikorac and Donald J. Treimand, found that if a child has access to more than 500 books, the knowledge obtained is like that from university-educated parents.

The same study points out that even if a child has acess to 25 books, he or she may go on to complete two more years of education than a child who has no access to books.  It seems that the Foundation will be able to provide its recipients with high numbers--as so far, it has  collected 800 books from private donations before the book drive itself.

"We've been humbled by the response so far," says Missick.  Yet they have recipients who are in need of more--besides providing books to Urban Renewal Program centers in Kemp Road, Pinewood and Englerston on New Providence, they will send books to Acklins, which was hit hard by Hurricane Irene, for Selena Point Primary School and Library.

It's all part of the Sandals Foundation's mission to help the Caribbean reach its full potential through its initiatives in the community.  The philanthropic arm of Sandals Resort International, the Sandals Foundation is the brainchild of Sandals CEO Adam Stewart and aims to reach out to the communities in which the Sandals Resorts are located.

The Sandals Foundation assists the community in three ways -- through environmental initiatives where it aims to preserve the unique surroundings of the Caribbean; educational initiatives where it helps people in the Caribbean reach their full potential through educational programs, and community initiatives that uplift, engage and empower Caribbean communities.

Though the book drive is officially considered an educational initiative, it seems to have its hand in the other two initiatives--after all, books build a community, and by spring cleaning and putting your old books to good use by donating them to the cause, you recycle and give them a new life.
Not only that, but if you donate five books at the Book Fair itself, you will receive a raffle ticket which has prizes from Sandals Resort, Sky Bahamas and Bahamas Fast Ferries.  Along with face painting and "Make an Instant Book" demonstrations by Poinciana Paper Press, children can enjoy readings by Bahamian authors Dr. Ian Strachan, Obediah Michael Smith, Lynn Sweeting, Anku Sa Ra, Michelle Hanna, and Lelawattee "Asha" Manoo-Rahming throughout the day.

"We want the children to know about the miracle of the possible," says Missick. "For them to see a person with their background reading and producing their own Bahamian work, it gives them something to think about."  The Foundation hopes this will become an annual event which not only gives children a fun day of storytelling and reading, but also benefits children who have limited access to books across The Bahamas in order to encourage literacy and curiosity.

"I hope through this, we are able to communicate with each other, pick up ideas, and communicate with ourselves," says Missick. "I hope our next generation can relearn that if we create a love of learning and reading for them."

The Sandals Foundation Book Fair will be held today, at Xavier's Primary between 1 - 7 p.m.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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