Letter from Peace Corps Volunteer

Dear Books for a Better World,

About a year ago, you donated to my community, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity that your books provided.

Two other Peace Corps volunteers and I designed and facilitated seminars focused on reading instruction to English teachers of my region, Panama Este. About 30 teachers attended each month through their own volition and a professional community emerged, an unexpected result of our initial proposal but one of the greatest impacts of our project. Midway through the year, we distributed about 50 reading books to each English department of the 10 different schools who attended. Then, during each month, the teachers learned new ways to incorporate these books into their lessons, including conducting a Read Aloud, Choral Reading, and Reader’s Theater.

As for the students, we three volunteers read to them weekly and supported our assigned counterparts in conducting Read Alouds and a small play based on a story. My students LOVED the stories and illustrations and couldn’t wait for the following week’s Reading Day. The students now have access to over 500 different storybooks in both English and Spanish. Unfortunately, I will not be reading to them this year but I know they will continue to enjoy the books with the English teachers of my school.

Once again, thank you. I know the students wouldn’t have experienced the magical worlds of books without your donation. Please click on the video below to see a short video of our project:

Sincerely,
Renee Thessing
Peace Corps Panama 2011-2012

 

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Ken Whelan Memorial Book Fund

Huevos-Verdes-Con-Jamon-Green-Eggs-and-Ham-Dr-SeussMuchas gracias to the family and friends of Ken Whelan, who have established a memorial book fund in his name. For summer 2013, they are providing BBW sites with copies of Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham (Huevos Verdes con Jamon). They hope to continue this tradition of purchasing a book each year in his name.

Ken died tragically and far too young in November of 2011. He had a passion for education and was pursuing a PhD. Liam, his 4 year old son, loves Dr. Seuss books and this book is his favorite. It is fitting that hundreds of other children will be enjoying this wonderful and silly story, due to the generosity of Ken’s family and friends. Please make your donation end in 2 cents in honor of his two young children he loved. For example, you may donate $25.02, $50.02 or $100.02.

UPDATE: We are pleased to announce that so far over $800 has been donated to the Ken Whelan Memorial Book Fund. Thanks so much for all your contributions! Keep them coming!

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Photos from 2012 Book Delivery Trips to Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras

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North Valley Magazine Spotlights Books for a Better World

Recently Books for a Better World was spotlighted in North Valley Magazine. Check out this nice article Carol La Valley wrote about us.

Carol La Valley speaks to the volunteers and organizers of this charitable organization looking to bring the power of books to children in impoverished countries.

This summer, a group of hikers will spend several hours traversing a wet, slippery trail in the remote jungle of Guatemala to bring books to elementary school children at the San Jose, El Espinero school. These are storybooks bursting with possibilities, all lush with photographs and illustrations of giant dinosaurs, a soccer star, a fairy princess. The hikers represent Books for a Better World (BBW). Read entire article here.

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Books for a Better World 2012 Newsletter


Our 2012 Newsletter is here! 
Click HERE TO READ IT!

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
*Collecting, packing and delivering another round of great books all over Central America!

*Hosting Teacher Training Workshops in Guatemala and El Salvador!

*Creation of a Newsletter for teachers to improve reading instruction!

*Lots of laughs, hugs and hope!

If you’d like to sign up to receive a paper copy of our newsletters in the future, contact us at: info@booksforabetterworld.org.

We count on your support! Please donate online at booksforabetterworld.org.

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T-Shirt Fundraiser!

One of our amazing volunteers, Amy Pulver, has taken it upon herself to do a t-shirt sale fundraiser for Books for a Better World.

The adorable shirts, pictured here, can be purchased for $20 for adult sizes and $15 for kids sizes (plus $2.50 for shipping).

To order, please contact Amy at chaznamy@aol.com. You can pay for the shirts right here on our website by clicking on the blue Donate button to the right. If you order by June 11, 2012, your shirt will be shipped the following week.

Look good and help fill the library shelves!

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