Gambian Library Donation
05.14.2008
Bay Path students and faculty are truly thinking globally. As part of a final project, students in the classes of Dr. John Jarvis are helping to stock an elementary school library in Gambia. The Sajuka Community School was built by the father of Nyillan Fye ’10, a Bay Path student originally from Gambia and now living in Maryland with her mother. When Dr. Jarvis, liberal studies professor at Bay Path College, heard of the school’s need has for good quality English language books for children in grades 1-12, he knew Bay Path students would rise to the occasion. He was right. Through on campus collections and community support, students have accumulated nearly 10 boxes or over 500 books.
To make the project more personal and create bonds with the children of Gambia, each Bay Path student participating in the project selected one book in which to write a personal message of hope and friendship to the youngsters in Gambia. Some students purchased books that had special meaning for them to include in the donations. Students’ selections represented the full genre of books – from picture books and adventure stories to classics and workbooks. Books include classics such as
Anne of Green Gables,
Robinson Crusoe,
On the Far Side of the Mountain, and
The Purple Crayon. Some students wrote a simple note of greeting, while others decorated their messages with photos of themselves, maps of the United States, and addresses to keep up a correspondence with the young Gambian students.
