The Library Project: building libraries for orphans
December 18th 2007 23:42
A small break away from cinema - I wanted to post an article about my friend, Tom Stader, and the charity work he's doing in China at the moment, called The Library Project.
I met Tom in China; we were both teaching English, and he got transferred to my school, to become a manager of sorts. I wasn't sure if I liked him... he introduced himself to me with a little smirk that nearly compelled me to punch him through the front window. Luckily, I was feeling a bit gastrointestinally distressed from some questionable BBQ the night before; I mustered up a half-smile and excused myself.
Naturally, though, Tom and I got on pretty well. We would go out to the night markets for less-suspicious BBQ and beer, cramming our faces with grilled squid and lamb. He was alright, I decided, and we used to have long talks about America, China, American women and, predictably, Chinese women.
'I'm going to help out at this orphanage,' he told me in-between bites of roasted meat, the juices crawling down his chin.
'No, you're not,' I retorted.
The silence was punctuated only by the sound of passing cars, and the occasional drop of an old man spitting on the street. This was white noise to us, and we continued to eat, the streetlight fighting for space with the equally bright moon.
But what an impact! The success of the project has threatened to overwhelm Tom as he's been on a rampage, dropping libraries like Ali dropped Foreman at Rumble in the Jungle. Providing books is such a simple, cost-effective way to dramatically improve the quality of life at these orphanages, and the rewards are awe-inspiring.
He's on track to have created 80 libraries in China and Vietnam by 2008.
Want to do your little part? Donate to the cause, or send a donation in the name of your friend or family member, and get a beautiful gift card, acknowledging your donation.
Send a $50 or $100 gift card to someone this Christmas!
Get Involved with the Library Project!
I'm not much of a Christmas person, but I can appreciate that the season is meant to inspire people to be a little more compassionate. I can't imagine a better cause than Tom's Library Project, especially since the donation goes directly to those in need, instead of being drained here in Australia by bureaucrats. I'm going to do my best to send Tom a little something. Can you help a brother out?
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