Commitment to literacy

By Maddison Clarey 15 January 2016, 12:00AM

Over $50,000 worth of books were donated to libraries across Samoa yesterday, thanks to Samoa Stationery and Books (S.S.A.B).

The donation was part of S.S.A.B and the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture’s (M.E.S.C) commitment to improve literacy in Samoa.

The initiative, started in 2015, donated over $20,000 worth of brand new books and over $30,000 of high quality second hand books to the Nelson Memorial Library, Salafai Library in Salelologa, the library at the Paediatric Ward at the National Hospital at Motootua, and the Samoa Victim’s Support Group School of Hope.

S.S.A.B expressed their gratitude to the people of Samoa and abroad for their thoughtful donations to the drop boxes for second hand books set up across the country.

They also appreciated the effort of the ANZ bank in setting up book drives within schools in Woollongong, Australia.

 “Knowledge is powerful,” M.E.S.C Assistant C.E.O, Leota Valma Galuvao said. “We believe in equipping children with the skills and knowledge to face the world.”

In light of yesterday’s front page article in the Samoa Observer with regards to the state of numeracy test scores, Ms. Galuvao shared her commitment to improving not only the literacy of Samoa’s school children, but a new focus on numeracy also.

Commenting on the story she said, “it is only through challenges that we are able to improve in the future.”

Moving forward, the company hopes to spread their support further, by introducing new beneficiaries to ensure they can support more children Samoa wide. 

Samoa International Finance Authority (S.I.F.A) will also play a huge part in S.S.A.B’s commitment to literacy, through personally financing a full time librarian for the Paediatric Ward at the National Hospital at Motootua.

These book donations come as an introduction to Samoa’s annual Literacy Week, taking place this year in the week of July 20th – 25th, which features a children’s march through town, various writing and speech competitions, book fairs and an end of week fundraiser that last year raised over $20,000. 

By Maddison Clarey 15 January 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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