- 8 December 2016

Book trunks to assist Marc Roger’ interventions

BACKGROUND

Marc Roger left in May 31, 2009 by foot along a meridian running from the French town of Saint-Malo to Bamako, the capital of Mali, reaching his destination in June 2010. Throughout his voyage between the two towns, he read books, poems and stories by French, African and Francophone authors in schools, libraries, bookstores and, in particular, schools associated with the UNESCO network.

This one year voyage allowed the public reader to criss-cross France, Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal and Mali. Altogether, he travelled more than 7109 km with Babel, his donkey and travel companion, holding nearly 130 readings and reaching more than 7850 listeners.

OBJECTIVES

  • To encourage the emergence of local book supply chains; more than a third of the books were purchased from African publishers.
  • To directly promote the literature of North and West Africa among the library’s public.
  • To support the practice of reading and develop a taste for reading among children and adults in these countries.
  • To promote access to culture and education.

ACTIONS

Libraries Without Borders assisted Marc Roger’s interventions by offering 20 trunks to the libraries and schools he visited in Senegal and Mali. Each contained 91 francophone books intended for a mixed public (ages 2-4 to adult). The trunks left the warehouse in March 2010 and arrived in Senegal in May and in Mali in June. They constitute small mobile libraries intended to be sent back and forth between the various schools and libraries of the villages and towns concerned.

  • The targeted donation of more than 1800 francophone books to the schools and libraries visited by Marc Roger in Senegal and Mali.
  • The acquisition of more than a third of the books from African publishers, specialist bookstores and the International Alliance of Independent Publishers.
  • Funding the transport of 20 trunks to Senegal and Mali.

BENEFICIARIES

In Mali:

  • 3 elementary schools (in Bamako and Kayes)
  • 1 middle school (Bamako)
  • 1 high school (Bamako)
  • 2 Franco-Malian Alliances  (in Kayes and Mopti)
  • The OMRIB Association – Malian Organization for the Reinforcement of Basic Initiatives (Yélimané)

 

In Senegal:

  • 8 elementary schools (in Dakar, Donaye Taredji, Gamadji Saré, Guédé, Kidira, Ngawlé and Podor)
  • SOS Children of Kaolack Village

WITH SUPPORT FROM

Financial Partners

Logo de la Fondation de l'Union des associations européennes de football

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Executive Partners

Logo Association Futur Au Présent
Logo Université Ziguinchor Sénégal

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AND

  • Milan
  • Kaléidoscope
  • Syros Editeur Jeunesse
  • Association of National Museums
  • Noir sur Blanc publishers
  • Gallimard Jeunesse
  • Points
  • L’école des Loisirs
  • Conseil Général de l’Essone
  • French National Commission for UNESCO
  • La Voie des Livres
  • French Embassy in Mali
  • French Embassy in Senegal
  • Association Podor Rive Gauche
  • Didier Jeunesse
  • Albin Michel