Last month Celestine de Jong from Sint Michielsgestel was on holiday in Armenia, where through friends she ended up in the local library of Dilijan.
In this library there is no lack of books in the local language or in Russian but for the too small range of English-language books there is a waiting list. A budget for books in their own language and moreover in English is not existing so the young woman from Sint MIchielsgestel is looking for English-language books in support of this library.
During a holiday in 2012 the De Jong family came into contact with Lee and Karen from Armenia. One of them was doing a study at the University in Tilburg. "Sometimes the world is small," smiles Celestine and continues: "We exchanged addresses. To our surprise we were invited at Karen’s promotion a month later at Tilburg University. We were his only guests and the reunion was very nice.
The De Jong family visits Armenia again and they get involved in helping the library where several shelves are empty. They are determined to collect English books for the library, all books are welcome, from books for babies to books for students and adults. From literature to light novels. They don’t need to be new, as long as they are looking decent.
"English is a popular language. In Armenian high schools English lesson are given and soon a United World College will settle in Dilijan. This is an international school in run-up to the University for young people between 13 and 18-years-old. The waiting list for English books will only be longer in future", says Celestine.
If you like to donate English books, please mail cmmjfdejong@gmail.com
