Alin Thaset mobile library fosters understanding of diversities through book reading

Narinjara News, 27 March 2023

Members of Alin Thaset ( A piece of Light) library at 4 mile ward of Maungdaw township in Rakhine State have initiated a mobile library program under which the library is moved to nearby villages twice a week and helps people to borrow their favourite books for reading. Primary aim of the program is to promote the understanding and acceptance of diversity through the literature.

The members travel from one village to another using a tricycle loaded with books every Saturday and Sunday.

Ko Kyaw Aye Maung, in charge of Alin Thaset mobile library, informed Narinjara News that they expect the young people to gain knowledge through the habit of reading. Moreover, once they come closer to Rakhine, Muslim, Thet, and Mro people, they would understand different characteristics of these communities.

He also stated that they expect to enhance knowledge among the people through reading literature and thus promote mutual understanding among the residents of different races.

"Cultivating the habit of reading literature from an early age can promote consciousness and it should also alleviate religious and political differences. The mobile library is created with the aim of making these habits more effective,” he added.

Starting from 1 March this year, the mobile library has been moving to villages and the mission has covered eight villages till date.

The mobile library people also start providing vital information on sex education with a variety of mediums like story telling, cartoons, and poster designs.

“We tell stories to rural children encouraging them to read, draw and express themselves by writing down their aspirations. We also encourage them to speak up and share their thoughts. The mobile library also focuses on providing sex education to the children,” he explained.

Since the outbreak of Covid-19’s second wave, the group has been involved in distributing corona protection equipments as well as creating awareness about the virus. They also provided reliefs to flood victims along with healthcare assistance.

Presently, the library group has been providing a two-month long summer English course to around 90 students.

Now they are thinking of setting up a permanent library so that the readers can get their interested books from the office.

On 21 August 2021, a group of five individuals received financial supports from Thet Youth Development Association and they established the Alin Thaset library. As of 1 January 2023, the group comprises nine executive and 21 regular members.