ST Henry’s Marist College has come out in support of the Booksellers of Mzansi project, an initiative of the Denis Hurley Centre (DHC) and HashtagBooks.
The school donated 19 boxes of books to the booksellers and is encouraging learners to get behind the project.
In terms of the Booksellers of Mzansi project, books are donated by religious organisations, schools and individuals. These books are handed to homeless people who sell the books to earn a meaningful and dignified living. Currently five homeless booksellers are involved in the project and earn at least R300 per day from sales.
Annie Thomson, librarian at St Henrys explained, “we have been modernising our library and were looking for a worthy cause to donate the books that we have chosen not to keep. I recently learned about the DHC and the work they are doing. We thought it would be the perfect organisation to support. We are excited that books are being promoted and respected in a world where there is continuous competition with digitalisation and technology.” Learners and parents also contributed to the donation.
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Stephen Leech, St Henry’s principal, said he was proud of the school community for its commitment and support for the project. Thomson went on to challenge other schools to support the Booksellers of Mzansi.
Anivesh Singh of HashtagBooks said the dedication and passion of Raymond Perrier and Stuart Talbot from the DHC in driving this project was inspiring.
“The Booksellers of Msanzi project is an incredibly simple idea, yet it ticks so many boxes. It helps people rebuild their lives. It creates jobs. It helps with social cohesion as people from all races, faiths and places contribute. It makes books accessible and promotes a reading culture in Durban. How amazing is it, that we as a UNESCO City of Literature are involved in a project that uses books as a means to change lives at the grassroots.”
If you would like to donate books for this project or find out more about the book fair, contact Anivesh on ripple-effect@mweb.co.za or 083 778 1991.
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