LIFE donates books to Maple House
(L-R) Erin Galapopoulos (LIFE), Thelma Richards (Maple House), Teresa Echenique (Ministry of Community Affairs) and Marilyn Conolly (LIFE) at the book donation
(CNS Local Life): Ahead of International Literacy Day (8 September), Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE) donated 55 lightly used picture books to the special needs children and young adults who reside at Maple House. LIFE executive director Marilyn Conolly donated the books on Wednesday, 5 September, with Ministry of Community Affairs Chief Officer Teresa Echenique, Residential Care Supervisor Thelma Richards, Maple House staff and residents in attendance.
“We are delighted to mark this annual observance by sharing the gift of reading and imagination with Maple House residents through the pages of these books,” said Conolly in a press release.
“The theme of this year’s International Literacy Day is ‘Literacy and skills development’. This ties in well with this particular donation as, all too often, the needs of the most vulnerable and disabled members of our community are forgotten, ignored, dismissed or simply not valued. LIFE is of the view that all members of society have a right to literacy and everyone can share in the joy of reading a good story.”
Echenique thanked the visitors to the George Town home on behalf of her ministry, adding that the books were a welcome resource. “I cannot overstress the importance of education in the development of our children and that is even more important when it comes to children with special needs,” she said. “Maple House residents will relish this donation of books. The residential home’s staff are carers in the very truest sense and enjoy both reading to them and sharing in their pleasure in the stories and characters.”
In partnership with the government, LIFE undertakes several programmes to increase literacy levels in the public school system, as well as focusing on bringing literacy to the home and the community, stated the release.
For more information about LIFE and how the public can volunteer in the charity’s literacy programmes, call 938-6300 or go to the LIFE website
