Better than a barrel of monkeys!

Libraries have always been like a second home for me. I can remember story times at local libraries, trolling the shelves looking for just the right book and finding a beanbag chair to plunk into. University was no different. I often retreated to the library for some much needed peace and quiet. Now I am lucky to have access to both Brighton and Quinte Library- my problem is never finding books I want to take out but rather limiting myself to what I can reasonably read in 14 days!


Freighter at port

So Mt. Zion Library has been a magical find for me. They are a little library with a big heart and even bigger vision of what they can be. Since I have been here they have expanded rapidly and are now at 500 members! Books are literally flying off the shelves and sometimes being pilfered from them as well (most notably books on baking & decorating cakes, and other high culinary endeavours).



Line up to get barrel

For the boys it has meant being able to read at school. Even though they attend a private school there is no school library! (Don't worry we are working on that too.)

Both boys will spend free time in class with their nose in a book. Obviously the selection here is significantly different than back home, which has been fantastic. It means both boys have pushed up their reading level rather than read "little kid" books. Aiden just finished Dan Brown's The Symbol (a totally creepy book- pretty sure there will be nightmares). But at over 650 pages and lots of historical references, new words and big ideas, Aiden has put teen series behind him and is playing with the big boys. Owen has moved on from Harry Potter, I believe he read all 7 books in less than 2 months, to Percy Jackson. Not as far outside his reach but still admirable for a boy who didn't really start reading for pleasure until last year.

Oonya, founder of the library, waiting for her turn

So we are very grateful to Mt. Zion Library for enriching our lives here in Grenada.

And I am also extremely grateful for the people of Quinte West who have taken an interest in our journey and have supported Mt. Zion by sending a barrel of books. Not just any books. Tons of books that were on their wish list, that can now be crossed off!

I have not met any of these wonderful people who made this happen(except my mom who shipped it); they are just amazing people who like Oonya are committed to literacy.

“Grenada has the highest poverty rate amongst the English Caribbean countries. Children and youths make up the majority of that rate.” (UNDP: 2009 Human Development Report) A past Minister of Education stated that the nation’s secondary school graduates are unemployed and unemployable. “Grenada’s unemployment rate currently stands at 40 per cent.” (The Commonwealth Media, web 2013) A high poverty rate and low functional literacy rate is affecting the future development of Grenada and seems to contribute to an increasing number of disenfranchised youth, a perceived lack of options and lack of motivation for self-development.- source Mt. Zion Library Website http://mtzionlibrary.com/

I am so heartened that Canadians, Ontarians and my local community are directly contributing to the

Oonya outside the library

development of another country through literacy. When you think about it, it is pretty amazing. I had to travel here to try and make a difference in young people's lives and many of you are doing the same just through your generosity.

The library has recently started programs to improve reading and writing for adults. They just don't stop doing amazing work.

I hope you will be inspired to do something for literacy, it doesn't have to be here. It could be bringing a few books to where ever you are vacationing and leaving them for a local library; volunteering to read with children at a local school; or volunteering to run a craft or skill program at a local library. Anything you do will help.

If you do want to help here you can contact me or Mt. Zion Library directly to find out what their current needs are.


Barrel of books!!