FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2019
Yangon, Myanmar – In a ceremony at American Center Yangon today, the U.S. Embassy and The Asia Foundation donated nearly 10,000 books to 131 educational institutions in Myanmar. The Asia Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy and the Myanmar National Library, have been donating new, high-quality, English-language educational and children’s books to Myanmar institutions since 2007. Over the past 12 years, the U.S. Embassy and The Asia Foundation have donated more than 250,000 books to libraries and educational organizations across the country. This year, the U.S. Embassy and The Asia Foundation are donating more than 16,000 books to more than 200 educational institutions in Myanmar.
U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission George Sibley said, “These donations are part of the longstanding U.S. commitment to building institutions that serve people all across Myanmar.” Today’s donation event caps off a week of events at American Center Yangon to promote literacy. Deputy Chief of Mission Sibley added, “Books, reading, and literacy of all kinds, are vital for an informed citizenry ready to take on the challenges of the 21st Century.” U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. George Sibley and The Asia Foundation Country Representative Dr. Matthew Arnold presented donation certificates to the institutions in attendance today.
Matthew B. Arnold, Country Representative of The Asia Foundation’s Myanmar office said, “We are very pleased that “Books for Asia” program is complementing the Myanmar Government’s continuous efforts to promote literacy for everyone.” He added, “We aim to donate books at all ages, at all levels of learning, to different types of libraries across Myanmar to encourage quality education and life-long learning opportunities. This program encourages children to cherish books and to nurture the habit of reading as well as feeding adults with up-to-date information to enhance their knowledge in respective professions.”
Today’s event provided more than 9,800 books to 131 institutions in Ayeyarwady, Bago, Tanintharyi, and Yangon Regions, as well as Kayin, Mon, and Rakhine States. Recipients include university and community libraries, public schools, government agencies, and NGO and political party libraries.
In May, a book donation event at Jefferson Center Mandalay will provide more than 6,300 books to nearly 130 institutions in Mandalay, Magway, and Sagaing Regions, as well as Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, and Chin, Kachin, Kayah, and Shan States.
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