ESTABLISHMENT OF “THE BARN” AT PASADENA HIGH SCHOOL AND THE OFFICAL OPENING
It seems so long ago, but it was a very memorable event that begs to be reported! On Saturday, 27 May 2017, Hon. Hieu Van Le AC, Governor of South Australia, officially opened the new base for Books for
Lesotho at The Barn, Pasadena High School (Adelaide). He and Mrs Lan Le met David Linn, Chairman of the Board, his wife Liz Linn and Wendy House, Principal of Pasadena High School before addressing the invited guests. He then declared The Barn “open”. Books for Lesotho thanks the Governor and all who helped make this a memorable event.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH ROTARY CLUBS OF MITCHAM AND MALOTI
Books for Lesotho thanks the Rotary Club of Mitcham for the significant financial contribution made towards the setting up of The Barn to create a successful and safe working environment.
The Club has continued to support us by way of regular donations of books from their bookshop on Good wood Road. The Club also made a large financial contribution to ship 4 pallets of 9.115 books to Lesotho in October 2017 (below, left). These books were received by our additional partners, the Rotary Club of Maloti about 26 January 2018 (club meeting during 2017, below, right) ready for distribution to selected schools.
SUPPORT FROM THE MITCHAM EXERCISE GROUPS:
This group raises funds mainly by participants dropping loose change (what’s that, you might ask?) in a container at the end of a session – for the last 6 months this has raised $557.35. THANK YOU!
SINCE THE OPENING OF “THE BARN”, THE PLACE HAS BEEEN BULGING WITH BOOKS.
Do you recall the story of David and Liz meeting Denis, the Captain of a Boeing 747 enroute to Johannesburg? From that meeting, and through Tania Katsanis in Sydney, 2 pallets of books (3,000 books?) arrived: “From your friends at Connells Point Public School. They were all sorted and easily handled our end. The transport was generously donated by FRACHT Australia. You are all “Good Friends”
We intended to list our book donors, but the list is overwhelming so we will not begin. Donors include: schools (government and private), municipal/council libraries and new and second-hand bookshops.
Special recognition is given to: Rotary Club of Mitcham Bookshop, Glenside Lions Club Bookmart and Blackwood Books (whose proprietor, David, died last week – we are deeply saddened).
The book donation rate is such that we have decided that we can no longer support a pickup service of private donations – it is just too much for the team. We will continue to welcome deliveries to The Barn.
THANK YOU TO FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS…
Many people and organisations (including $3,500 grant from Rotary Club of Mitcham towards setup costs) have helped by providing cash donations – they all add up and are essential in making the project viable.
HOW TO HELP THE CHILDREN IN LESOTHO?
The Barn is open is open every Wednesday from 9.30 am until noon (or by appointment) … here you can: Donate books – appropriate books are always welcome. (Please only donate books that match the project.)
Volunteer your time – we have had some wonderful new volunteers … we need one or two more. Who – anyone really!! For sorting the question is: Can you tell a children’s books from an adult one, and fiction from non-fiction. For packing: Volunteer Ray has shown us that packing requires skill at fitting lots into a small space! Interested? Please talk to Liz on 0428 364 365 or use linnd@bigpond.net.au
Fund Raising for the 2018 Shipments (at least 2 shipments are now planned!!): We need additional funds. Here are some ideas:
- · Marryatville High School – books and $756.10 casual day
- · Rod sells donated goods on Ebay
- · Or, donate NOW
The Board
Books For Lesotho Inc.
Our “own: Niav – Foundation (now “past”) Board member and huge contributor:
