Working together works wonders
Warwickshire’s Youth Offending Service and Rugby Library are joining forces to promote the benefits of reading – not just here, but also Africa.
So a book sale has been organised to raise money for the Bwengu Project, which wants to buy new books for children in Bwengu, Malawi – one of Africa’s poorest countries.
Following a postponement last month, it will take place at Rugby Library on Saturday 21 February between 9am and 4pm, and Sunday 22 February between 12pm and 4pm.
So far hundreds of used books have been donated to the project, which was founded in 2006 by Sue Melia – a part time sessional worker at the Youth Offending Service – and her husband Tony.
Young people have been helping to collect and sort stock in Rugby as part of their reparation programme (restorative justice).
Sue is pleased with the support the project has received so far: “The book sale is always very popular. It not only benefits people in Warwickshire who can buy a great book to read, but could also help improve the life chances of many children in Africa. “
Heather Shilling, Operations Manager (Interventions) for the Youth Offending Service, said: “We are always amazed by the response for this project and we are incredibly proud to help in anyway we can.
“Supporting charities in this way helps young people make up for the crimes they’ve committed – as well as supporting the wider community.”
For more information about the Bwengu Project, visit http://www.bwenguprojects.co.uk or for more information about the Youth Offending Service, visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/yot.