Nine students from the Association of Village PRIDE, Inc. Youth Leader’s Program decided in January to help support a project in Nigeria, Africa to build and equip a library in the town of Umuaka. It is a large town of 10 villages, 10 elementary schools and two high schools that has no community library. Consequently, illiteracy is a major problem in the region. The students leading this project feel very privileged and wanted to help those folks less fortunate in the world. Challenged to take on a community service project, these students invited other high school students in Fayette County to join them in a fundraising effort. Together, the students from four different local high schools have set a goal to raise $10,000 by August, 2009. They had their first Coffeehouse in March and will have the 2nd one this Saturday at the Fayette Family YMCA at 215 Huiet Road from 7:00-9:00 pm.

This literacy project is youth driven and youth coordinated. The coffeehouse will feature local youth talent performing in drama, poetry readings, voice, instrumental music, dance, and more. The performers are some of the best Fine Arts students in Fayette County. The coffeehouse is a wonderful way to promote local talent while raising awareness about the literacy problems around the world. The admission to the coffeehouse is $5.00 with a new or used book or $7.00 without a book. The students would like to invite the adults to come out and support young people working to make a difference.

The motivated young people spearheading this project using their leadership skills set out to show that young people can make a difference and they don’t have to wait until they are old to have an impact on a community. The group has reached out to people across the community. The Association of Village PRIDE, Inc. the sponsoring organization has as its mission is to help young people become productive contributing members of society. They do this through cultivating leadership and promoting community service.

In addition to the Coffeehouses, the students are soliciting individual and group donations. Depending on the amount of the donations, donors’ names will be placed on group plaques and individual plaques to be displayed in the library once it is completed. Students are seeking help from local businesses, youth leadership and volunteer organizations, churches and other faith-based organizations. They have developed a website where interested people can get additional information or donate. Students also set up different groups on how to get involved through social networks sites.

Contributions for this project are tax-deductible because of the non-profit nature of the sponsoring organization, Association of Village PRIDE, Inc.

For information on school representatives, how to perform at the coffeehouse, how to volunteer, or how to donate you can send an email to community.literacyproject@gmail.com or visit the website at www.communityliteracyproject.webs.com.

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