[VIDEO] Lembah Pantai MP’s micro-library programme to empower reading among B40 kids

KUALA LUMPUR – Among the countless precious items that were lost in the recent devastating floods were tens of thousands of books. Taking cognisance of this, Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil has initiated a plan to set up micro-libraries to empower B40 children in his constituency with reading facilities. 

The PKR communications chief said that when the idea is realised in the coming weeks, it will benefit families affected by the floods as well as others who are in need.

He explained that small shelves, each full of books, will be sent to residents through a mobile library book exchange initiative.

“We have representatives in the Lembah Pantai community who will identify needy families with children who are interested in reading and can benefit from this system,” he said.

He was speaking during a ceremony to receive books donated by the Vinod Sekhar Foundation at his office in Lembah Pantai here today. 

Also present at the event was Vinod Sekhar Foundation chairperson Datin Dr Winy Sekhar who handed over more than 500 new and pre-loved books, including story texts, collected by the foundation through a campaign started in conjunction with International Literacy Day on September 8. 

Fahmi expressed gratitude for the donation, saying that the books can help expand the micro-library programme to a new level. 

“I am very happy to work with the Vinod Sekhar Foundation on this programme because it is one of the things we have been trying to do over the last couple of years but was stopped by the pandemic – to bring these books and create mini-libraries in people’s homes.” 

He said the programme is envisioned to be an innovative way to reach out to families through a “circulating economy” of reading materials.

“We identify a number of families and bring the books around so that the books can tour around homes in Lembah Pantai. That is my hope.”  

Meanwhile, Dr Winy said that the foundation began the book collection initiative with the hope of helping improve literacy among children, as well as encourage them to read and explore new texts. 

She said that one of the areas that the Vinod Sekhar Foundation focuses on is good social capitalism. “It’s about how companies are responsible in terms of lifting up societies,” she explained.

“We hope that this is one of the initiatives, even though it is a small way to help the community help itself,” she said. 

Elaborating further, Dr Winy expressed hope that the foundation’s contribution to Fahmi’s micro-library programme would also motivate able children within the community to help younger children to read. It can thereby help the programme become sustainable.

“We want to help the B40 children who we feel are already behind,” she said, stressing that it is tough for them to catch up with their required academic studies in school when they are already behind.

“Encouraging reading as a quality time will sort of move them up a bit, so when they go to school, it’s easier for them to follow the school curriculum and easier for them to move up the ladder.”

“We hope that it becomes a more sustainable programme to encourage this beneficial habit within the community.” – The Vibes, January 13, 2022