The Church College in Temple View, New Zealand (CCNZ) and its library closed in 2009. In 2011 the library books were relocated to former classrooms at the college for safe keeping.
Many of the books will soon be part of a library again.
- Theresia Wome Kau
- Kay Young, Betty Ann Kamp, Heather Morrell
- Ken William and Kay Young
- Volunteers Kay Young, Heather Morrell, and Betty Ann Kamp
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Theresia Wome Kau, an educator from Papua New Guinea who is studying at Waikato University, has a vision to gather books to be used for a much needed library for the students in the Kuli Valley of Jwaka Province in the Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea.
During the holidays Theresia returns home to the Kuli Valley to visit. On these occasions she has witnessed the need for a library for the young students living there. The illiteracy rate in Papua New Guinea is near 56% (2000 census). The Kuli Library Project was the answer.
While riding on a bus to Wellington, Theresia had a conversation with the person sitting next to her and learned of books from the former Church College that were for sale at a discounted price. Theresia was interested.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was contacted and permission was granted for Theresia’s Kuli Library Project to have as many books as needed free of charge.
Students of all ages will benefit from the books and teachers will have additional resources for lessons. The library will serve as an educational centre for all who live in the community.
“The library should be a place where one can go to read, and make reading a fun activity,” Theresia emphasises.
Four volunteers work tirelessly alongside Theresia, donating hundreds of hours sorting and boxing the books. They hope to have the project completed in the next few months.
A storage container, shipping fees and transport arrangements in Papua New Guinea are also part of the project. Raising funds through bake sales, other projects and private donations continue.
Theresia said “Increased knowledge, reading for fun and encouraging creativity are only three reasons for a library. Expanding horizons through books is the plan.”
Betty Ann Kamp, who assists with the project commented, “Theresia, is forward looking, and her desire is to open the eyes of the children in the area so they will have a better life through education.”
The Church College books have found a new home and they will soon be opened again, this time in Papua New Guinea for students, teachers, and the community. New horizons await.
To learn more about this project you can visit the Kuli Library Project website at http://bettyakamp.wix.com/kuli-library