Donations of books will help children in Fiji

Collecting books for deprived rural schools in Fiji is bringing warm fuzzies to many and closure for one.

Margaret McAra, who is organising the book collection in her role as the local public affairs manager for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, lost her husband in Fiji when he drowned, four-and-a-half months into their 18-month humanitarian mission with the church in 2005.

At the time, she was forced to leave in a hurry.

"So, in a way, it's bringing some closure for me," she said.

For the past two weeks, Margaret has been appealing to schools, businesses and community organisations to donate books for shipment to Fiji to be given out in rural schools there.

The collection, Books for Fiji, is taking place across the lower North Island and came about after staff at the Fijian High Commission indicated the difference more books would make to the island's children. Margaret said she knew from her time in Fiji that many youngsters in rural areas had no access to libraries, and their schools often operated with limited funds, making reading books a rarity. Since the collection began, many local schools had come to the party with books, including two carloads from Churton School in upper Aramoho.

St John New Zealand had also offered several boxes of them, some brand new.

Collection boxes are now in place at Gilbertson's Mitre 10 Mega, and the district library in Queen's Park.

The collection ends on October 5, when the books will be transported to a shipping container in Wellington and sent to Fiji.

To donate, email booksforfiji@gmail.com or phone Margaret on 06 344 5171.