A Reading House

Why it is so quiet in this school playground during a class break? The question is answered when entering the library full of children with books in their hands.

“Before the introduction of this library, the students would play until they got exhausted during the break time and could not concentrate on the lessons again” says Dinh Thi Loc, a teacher at Dien Quang 2 primary school in Ba Thuoc province.

Now, more than 200 students here have had access to a “safe playground” – a new library built by the local government with World Vision’s financial support.

“Five years ago, the library was in a shared-room with the school warehouse. There were a few books of which some were destroyed by moths. Almost no one went to the library. That, however, is very different from the new library where now there are always full of children,” says librarian Ha Thi Huong.

The new library attracts children with books of all kinds that are well organized on shelves. There are one reading room and one book room, both with internet connection.

“The majority of my school’s students are from ethnic minorities. Since we had the library, they have become more interested in reading. Therefore, the last year’s reading comprehension rate was noticeably increased as a result,” says Dien Quang 2’s Principal Hoang Dinh Thanh.

Successfully piloting the library model, World Vision will continue to support the local government to replicate friendly and green libraries and 30 reading clubs for children in other targeted districts in Thanh Hoa province.

Do Thi Nhung, Bui Thi Binh, Hoang Van Hai, Ba Thuoc ADP