Gisborne, New Zealand June 2007

All the students of Te Karaka Primary School, Gisborne, New Zealand share their gratitude to the Australia salesforce office for being their sponsor for Duffy Books in Homes. The children really appreciate the books they get and get so excited when they choose their choice and even more when the the Duffy assembly takes place.

Librian Sally Cale shares "I recently took over the position at school as the Books in Homes person and I am thoroughly enjoying it and seeing the children 'um and ah' which book to choose as their choice."

This wonderful organisation seeks to break the parenting cycle of people who grow up in less than ideal homes going on to create the same for their own children. The program identifies schools who register on the Books in Homes scheme. They receive four books per annum at two Role Model assemblies. Hero’s talk to the schools and encourage “its cool to read, its cool to achieve” then in the middle of the year the Government sponsors one book and again hands them out in an assembly. All books are for the children to take home and enjoy. They also get to choose a book for their siblings under 5 at home on each of their birthdays, this also helps the book ownership before they go to school. The kids write their names in the books and take them home to read, ideally with their parents who, otherwise, might not read with them. They also get local celebrities to visit the schools and show the kids that "It's cool to read!" What a great idea.

This organisation was started by a very well known author called Alan Duffy who wrote the book "Once Were Warriors" which has since been adapted into a movie, and a powerful one at that! Take a look at the website http://www.booksinhomes.org.nz/ The APAC team have passed the hat around and, with the help of Foundation matching, have donated more than $3000 to this worthy cause. Thanks to all of you who contributed.