Children in The Pine, St. Michael, are now able to access free books as a result of the Little Libraries Project that was launched yesterday at the Parkinson Resource Centre.
And, Acting Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Davidson Ishmael, who cut the ribbon to declare the first mini library open, stated that it was “a timely and a welcomed effort”.
Speaking about the benefits of reading, Mr. Ishmael said they include stimulation of the brain, use of the imagination, stress reduction, knowledge enhancement, and improvement of focus and concentration.
He urged those residents in attendance, as the first recipients of the mini library, to make full use of the facility.
“It is our earnest desire that many other communities will do similarly in emulating you here in The Pine. May you visualise this, not as merely an installation of a mini library, but more importantly, as the reestablishment of Barbados as a territory, which can both confidently and factually boast of a literacy rate of 99 per cent or even higher,” Minister Ishmael stated.
He added that the mini library was created to encourage the residents of that community to start reading clubs and to “promote community cohesion and empowerment”.
Mr. Ishmael also expressed gratitude to the partners of the initiative. “We love this partnership between the Community Development Department, the Prince Godwill D. Fomusoh Foundation, and Massy Foundation, and we pledge the Ministry’s firm commitment to continue working with your foundations, community-based, faith-based, and non-governmental organisations, as we seek to make better lives for all of our citizens in Barbados,” he said.
Global Partnership Director of the Prince Godwill D. Fomusoh Foundation, Chris Ritchie, said the project was started to provide “children [with] an opportunity and access to things that otherwise they would not get”.
He continued: “And over the last three years, we have seen literacy, and some things that are foundational to creating a thriving educational platform for a child, fall behind. We are extremely excited and proud and privileged to partner with the Massy Foundation here in Barbados. The first phase being the 15 libraries to be opened across the island.”