Scholar gives books to school

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Thursday 02nd August, 2012

A PAPUA New Guinea postgraduate student at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), with the help of others, air-freighted more than 130kg of donated books to his village.
Joel Silas, a former teacher and mathematics lecturer at the University of Goroka, was born in the remote district of Kerowagi, Chimbu province, an area without many learning resources.
He understood the difficulties of the village and wanted to help the local school.
“When the teachers, the children and their parents heard of the news of books being sent from USQ in Australia they were filled with both joy and tears,” Silas said.
“Without doubt the books will go a long way to fulfilling the lives of these children. The book donation from USQ is a first overseas gesture to the school.”
USQ Faculty of Arts Librarian Vivienne Armati said she was eager to help Silas in his efforts to help his local community.
“Silas approached me with this idea.
“And I was keen to assist him with procuring books,” Armati said.
“The books were donated by USQ staff and the vice-chancellor’s office funded the shipment of 130kg of books.”
Silas is studying a master of professional information technology at USQ on an AusAID scholarship.
He will complete his Masters degree at the end of semester 2.
 this year and will return to Chimbu where he will continue to help his local community.