Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda UFSD
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- Kenmore Town of Tonawanda UFSD
- Overview
Edison Sets Out to Support Book Distribution Effort in Colombia
Inspired by the Biblioburro (“Donkey Library”), a traveling library that distributes books to children and families on the backs of two donkeys in an economically depressed region of Colombia, the entire Edison Elementary community has set out to raise money to support the Biblioburro Foundation.
Edison students, staff and families have a long history of coming together for global initiatives that are meant to make the world a better place, and this year they decided to support the work of Luis Soriano Bohorquez. He lives in a rural, economically-depressed part of Colombia that has been scarred by warfare. Since schools, librarians, and books are in short supply in this region, Luis decided 25 years ago that he would dedicate his life to traveling to rural communities and bringing books and instructional materials to students in those communities.
Since then, he has traveled thousands of miles on his two burros (the Spanish word for donkey) named Alfa and Beto. He also initiated a nonprofit organization, the Biblioburro Foundation, to improve access to educational programs and materials in some of the most isolated communities in Colombia.
Just as they have done with past projects, Edison Elementary students and staff are coming up with many creative ways to raise money for this initiative. For example, they raised approximately $400 in March by selling hoof prints made of construction paper which were lined up throughout the school.
Teacher Susan Hirsch also did an amazing job creating Edison's very own burro which has been traveling throughout the school. There are many more activities to come and you can stay up-to-date on this amazing initiative on the Edison Elementary Facebook page at facebook.com/EdisonElem.