UNICEF and IKEA Reintroduce Albanian Children to Books

AlbaniaÖ where a generation of school children has been growing up without books or encouragement to read. Public libraries were re-purposed and school budgets slashed in the transition from communism. While at home, most families are too poor to buy their own books so children have had little, often nothing, to read. But the situation is changingÖ UNICEF and partners have committed to opening a library in 850 schools here and to re-igniting the once strong culture of reading. IKEA, UNICEFís largest corporate donor is a key partner in the Albania Reads project. Last year, the global furniture retailer gave 10.5 million dollars to UNICEF, with schemes like this annual soft-toy campaign raising money to help improve childrenís lives. For just 1 million dollars, Albania Reads will reach more than 200 thousand children. Marginalised youth are being employed to build new bookshelves and to help with distribution. Books have been donated from publishing houses. Teacher training and new governmental policies are promoting the benefits of reading.