Muruththanna Library – a gift from children for children

The room is quiet except for the occasional sound made by the turning of a leaf of a book. There is an air of tranquillity about the Muruththanna library that seemingly belies the vast treasure it contains.

There are books with big colourful pictures and less words; books with large letters and small letters; books with Russian tales, Chinese proverbs, Aesop’s fables; books on science, cultures and myths; books with adventure and short stories; books on famous people and famous works.

The village of Muruththanna is located in the town of Ambagamuwa in the hill country of Sri Lanka and its Library is special not only because it is the only library for the eight villages in Muruththanna, but because it was a gift initiated by children for children.

Migara (13) sits at the table by the window and scans through the pile of books he has carefully chosen from the bookshelves.

“I like reading books on general knowledge the best, because it helps me in school quizzes,” smiles Migara, “Sometimes we do quizzes even during free times in the class. I really like books on geography and the world.”

“I enjoy reading adventure stories too,” he says, “My favourite is ‘Anduru Dupathe Abhirahasa’ (Mystery of the DarkIsland). It is a story about a brave group of friends who solve a mystery in that island.”

The idea of the library was initiated by children of the many child societies run by World Vision. “Not many of us have access to libraries because some schools don’t have library facilities,” says Ishani, president of one of the child societies.

“That’s when we thought we should start sharing the books we have with others. First we began to bring books and exchange and read. Then we decided to donate at least one book we have to create a library,” she says.

They began last year with 200 books in a little room in the community hall and almost every school-going child visits it. The children have even developed the habit of donating a book to the library on their birthdays. Today the library has over 500 books.

“World Vision has taught us about our rights, but also about our responsibilities. We must give something back to our community without always fighting for rights alone,” smiles the young leader.

The Ambagamuwa Area Development Programme serves a community where the majority are estate workers. The drop out rate of students was a major issue in the community as poverty forced most children of these families to drop out of school and go in search of work in towns away from home. In its work, especially through the Child Societies, World Vision has been able to address this issue and bring about a marked decline in the school drop out rate.