In the last 48 hours, through Skype and Twitter, I have been in touch with various colleagues in China. In particular, I have been communicating with the executive director of The Library Project, Tom Stader. The Library Project donates books and libraries to under financed schools and orphanages in Asian countries, focusing on rural China and Vietnam; their most recent efforts have been in Shaanxi Province.

A 10 min podcast interview with Tom can be heard on China Talk Radio. China Daily has a good introductory article.

The Library Project is creating a relief program that will help to rebuild the educational system in Sichuan; Tom is working with the local Chinese authorities to augment aid delivery.

The devastation is horrific; the death toll continues to mount.  The scenes are spirit-crushing.  [GRAPHIC WARNING] Image of dead children being excavated, as the "People's Premier", Wen Jiabao, watches grief-stricken in the earthquake damage zone.  

Beyond the immediate weeks of disaster recovery, there is a need for elementary level books in English and Chinese (emphasis on Pinyin for Grades 1-3).

Tom wrote on his website :

Hundreds of elementary schools have been damaged because of the May 12th earthquake in China. Because of this, temporary schools will be provided by the Chinese government for students to attend. The Library Project will be providing mobile libraries for these remote temporary schools. Books will then be moved to permanent schools once they have been rebuilt or repaired in the region.

He also sent the following note to his Facebook group, Library-Project, and will be updating news there in the next days.

On May 12, 2008 China experienced a 7.9 earthquake in Sichuan Province. Currently, in the aftermath of the earthquake, rescue workers across southwest China struggle to reach the tens of thousands of people who remain buried, as the death toll climbs above 13,000. That toll is likely to rise still higher as workers break through to affected areas, making the earthquake China’s deadliest natural disaster in three decades. Hundreds of thousands are injured or homeless.

The Library Project has created a program, "Project: Earthquake Relief", to help rebuild the educational system that was affected as a result of the earthquake. It is projected that hundreds of elementary schools have been damaged in the Sichuan and Shaanxi Provinces. The Library Project will be providing educational resources for the displaced children attending temporary schools.

The Library Project is currently working with the local governments on how we can provide assistance to the elementary schools that have been affected by the recent earthquake in China. Please check out the link below on our Earthquake Relief program. As more information becomes available, we will be updating this program so that we can help as many children as possible.

GET INVOLVED!

1. Place a donation today. We need your help, every dollar donated purchases one book for an affected elementary school.
2. Spread the word. Email [this link] out to your family and friends.
3. Get your company involved. Tell your HR department about The Library Project.
4. Hold an event. Get family and friends together to raise funds for our Earthquake Relief program.
5. Invite your friends to join The Library Project’s Facebook Group.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many children that have been affected by the recent earthquake. Together we can make a difference.

Kind regards,
Tom Stader
The Library Project Founder