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We Give Books Enhances Learning AFAR Impact
(Written by Guest Blogger Jennifer Malchiodi of The Pearson Foundation)
The Learning AFAR program promotes cross-cultural exchange by sponsoring international travel for students in the US who cannot otherwise afford to experience another part of the world. The Pearson Foundation has been proud to partner with Learning AFAR by helping to sponsor travel for US students traveling to Peru and Costa Rica. Last year, Learning AFAR supported 78 students and educators from Chicago, New York City, Houston and Oakland. This year, the program will support 97 students and their teachers as they travel to Costa Rica, Peru, Cambodia, the Yucatan and the U.S. Southwest. Also new to this year’s program, we are welcoming student travelers from Seattle!
The Pearson Foundation believes strongly in the importance of community service – and it is one of the most inspiring aspects of the Learning AFAR program. Learning AFAR students work in advance of their trip to organize a service program in the communities that they will be visiting. In doing so, they gain a deeper understanding of the needs of others, often come to appreciate the resources that we have available in America, and, most importantly, gain the sense of empowerment that comes from helping others. Often, making a small difference in the lives of others can snowball into a desire to change the world!
For the last two years, Learning AFAR students have used the Pearson Foundation’s We Give Books program to complete their service project. We Give Books is a free web site that enables anyone with access to the Internet to put books in the hands of children who don't have them, simply by reading online. For every book that is read on We Give Books, a brand new book is donated to a literacy organization in the US or around the world.
Learning AFAR students encouraged their school community to read children’s books on WeGiveBooks.org – and for every book that was read online, We Give Books donated a book to the Peruvian or Costa Rican communities that the students visited. In 2011, over 10,000 books were read and donated. This year, supporters of the Learning AFAR campaign helped We Give Books to reach its millionth book milestone. Yes – over one million books have now been read, and donated, on We Give Books and Learning AFAR was part of it all!
We at the Pearson Foundation are proud to support Learning AFAR – and are inspired by the work that the student travelers are doing on behalf of We Give Books around the world! Stay tuned to see how this year’s student travelers help build libraries overseas with the books from We Give Books!
