People across the lower half of the North Island are digging out children's books from their home libraries in response to a call to send thousands of books to the children of Fiji. The project has been organized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"The donated books will be greatly appreciated by children of rural schools in Fiji where competing demands on limited financial resources often place other education needs ahead of reading books," according to Her Excellency, Ms Mere Tora, Acting Head of Mission for the Fijian High Commission.
"Your generosity will indeed go a long way in creating a love for reading in these children and an awareness of a world outside their own villages."
Eileen Mueller, Project Director, adds, "Many school facilities and resources have been affected by natural disasters in recent years. Some of these schools have no reading books. The donated books and magazines will establish libraries in schools and give children the opportunity to increase their reading skills and knowledge."
The Church's Wellington Stake President, George Harvey, is aiming high. "We have the capacity to send 100,000 books to children in Fiji, but it depends upon the response from the community," he said.
Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown has informed all City Council employees about the project and invited the Church to use the Council reception area as a collection point for books from the public. She has also donated two boxes of her own children's books.
"Some of the books, like The Incredible Journey, I read over and over when I was young," she said. "It's lovely to see the books are going to a good cause and to many good homes in Fiji. I hope the recipients get as much pleasure from reading them as I did — and my children."
Mrs Rahui Katene, Member of Parliament for Te Tai Tonga and a Latter-day Saint, is enthusiastic about the collection. "A love of reading is a fantastic start to life," she says. "When children learn to enjoy education it influences their entire family for generations."
The Honourable Peter Dunne, Minister of Inland Revenue and Member of Parliament for Ohariu, has set up collection boxes in his electorate offices in Johnsonville and Maungaraki. "I'm delighted to support this project and help children in a vulnerable situation," he says. "This is a practical way to assist in their education and I'd like to congratulate the Church for this initiative."
The Honourable Annette King, Member of Parliament for Rongotai and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, has a collection point in her Kilbirnie electorate office.
"When you become a grandmother and you have time to spend reading to your grandchildren, you realize how important books are to the young developing mind," Ms. King said. "Giving children in Fiji the chance to enjoy and learn from books is a wonderful contribution to make."
To donate books or set up a collection box at your workplace, business, school or community organisation, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , telephone 04 389 8550 or go to the Facebook site 'NZ Books for Fiji.' The collection ends on Sunday, 2 October 2011.
Books are being collected in Wanganui, Waiouru, Dannevirke, Palmerston North, Manawatu, Horowhenua, Kapiti, Porirua, Wairarapa, Hutt Valley, Wainuiomata and Wellington.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints supports education and literacy as a means to becoming self sufficient.
Drop-off points
Any chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday mornings.
Wellington City
• Wellington City Council Reception, Civic Square, 101 Wakefield St
• Fijian High Commission, 31 Pipitea St
• St Andrews on The Terrace
• Parent Help, Level 1, Compassion House, 2 Lukes Lane
• Wesleyan Church, 75 Taranaki St, Wellington
• The Garage, 3 Roxborough St, Mt Victoria
• National Bank, The Terrace, 80 The Terrace, Wellington
Southern Suburbs
• South Wellington Intermediate School, Rintoul St, Newtown
• Ridgway School, Mornington Road
• Berhampore School, Britomart St, (t.b.c.)
Eastern Suburbs
• David and Maria's Carpet Warehouse, 7 Strathmore Ave, Strathmore
• Pak n Save, Kilbirnie
• Rahui Katene's electorate office, Unit 19 Kilbirnie Plaza, Kilbirnie
• Annette King's electorate office, Kilbirnie Plaza (next to children's bookshop)
• Kilbirnie School, Moxham Avenue Hataitai
• Evans Bay Intermediate School, Kilbirnie
Northern & Western Suburbs
• Chipmunks Playland, Dress-Smart Shopping Centre, Tawa
• Peter Dunne's electorate office, Johnsonville Community Centre, Frankmoore Ave
• Dame Malvina Major Rest Home, 134 Burma Rd, Khandallah
• Glover Memorials, Hartham Place, Porirua
• Flying Colours Printers, 5 Serlby Place Porirua
Hutt Valley, Eastbourne & Wainuiomata
• Peter Dunne's electorate office, 151 Dowse Drive, Maungaraki
• Pine Haven School, Forest Road, Pinehaven Upper Hutt
• St Joseph's school, Pine Avenue, Upper Hutt
• Library at Hutt Hospital
• Rona Gallery, 251 Muritai Rd, Eastbourne
• The Ankers Residence, 143 Wellington Rd, Wainuiomata
Chapels of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
Area
Chapel
Address
Palmerston North
Waiouru
8-12 Runanui Street, Waiouru, Manawatu 5458
Wanganui
5 Arundel Place, Wanganui, 5001
Dannivirke
9-11 Cole Street, Dannivirke, Manawatu, 5491
Fielding
30-34 West Street, Fielding, Manawatu 5600
Palmerston North
29 Pitama Road, Palmerston North, Manawatu 5301
Foxton
33 Cook Street, Foxton, Manawatu 5551
Pahiatua
17 Wakeman Street, Pahiatua, Manawatu 5471
Levin
130 Bath Street, Levin, Manwatu 5500
Upper Hutt
Masterton
28-30 Opaki Road, Masterton
Featherston
150-152 Fitzherbert Street, Featherston, Masterton
Totara Park
Cnr Turon Cres & California Drive, Totara Park
Hutt Chapel
23 Park Avenue, Epuni 5011
Porirua
Paraparaumu
140 Makarini Street, Paraparaumu Beach, Wellington
Tetahi Bay
50 Ngatitoa Street, Takapuwahia 5022
Porirua
88 Divers Crescent, Porirua 5024
Wellington
Tawa
114-116 Main Road, Tawa
Lower Hutt
2-6 Kensington Street, Lower Hutt
Wainuiomata
24-26 Wellington Road, Wainuiomata
Moxham Ave (Wellington)
140 Moxham Ave, Hataitai