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Immaculate Hove Arts Reporter
In a bid to facilitate access to information and literature in marginalised communities Africa Book Development Organisation has partnered with South Korean embassy to distribute computers and books in rural libraries. The embassy recently handed over the computers, accessories and literature material at the ABDO offices in Harare.

The material and equipment will be donated to school libraries in Tsholotsho and Chakari. Speaking at the handover ceremony, South Korean ambassador Kwon Yong Kyu said it was important to reach out to marginalised communities and facilitate development of modern skills.

“One can never re-emphasise the importance of education. Investing in education is not just the right thing to do but it is the smartest thing that one can do. This is because education gives people the skills they need to help themselves out of poverty and into prosperity,” said ambassador Kyu.

It is ABDO’s vision to have vibrant communities that promote literacy, gender sensitivity, cultural diversity and education for the empowerment of communities in Zimbabwe. The educational equipment donated includes desk top computers, laptops, library books, internet modems and a book binder that will be used for the development of materials for farmers and women’s projects in the areas.

“The project is expected to improve the literacy levels and to alleviate poverty for more than 15 000 people in the rural areas of Chakari and Tsholotsho and it is definitely impressive,” the ambassador said.

In the speech read on her behalf Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development Nyasha Chikwinya, who was guest of honour, showed gratitude in the project. “The gesture by the government of South Korea is a welcome development as it will increase access to information and hence knowledge among the beneficiaries of these books and computers,” she said.

Chikwinya also said she hoped the girl child benefits from the donations so that she can be equipped with useful information. “Equipped with information, the girl child will be able to make informed decisions on issues that affect her life,” she said.