Release. The small community of Belle Vue recently unveiled a public library for not just their community by for the communities in Region #3 to access. The library is the first of its kind in Region #3.
The idea first took root in 2020 when a staff from the Ministry of Health – Aruna Faria sought out ways to emulate her leaders and give back to her community. Ms. Faria who also sits on the board of directors for a Canadian Charity – Giving Health to Kids, reached out to her fellow board member in 2020 to ask for tablets to help children who could not afford to access school work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her colleagues responded by providing 60 tablets and 2 laptops which were donated to children living in Belle Vue, Patentia, Canal #2 and Stanleytown Primary School where she donated 20 tablets to less fortunate children.
It was during this exercise that she realize the gravity of the unmet needs for educational resources and support. As a child Aruna visited the Stanleytown Public Library located in Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara where she was born and raised by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Gladwin Lall. As an adult she moved to Belle Vue and would pass the Belle Vue Community Centre daily on her way home from work.
Her gaze often fell upon a vacant room at the entrance of the centre and after further enquiries she found that the room was not allocated for any activities. While her intentions were to build a library, she was unsure of how to get books and resources. This was soon realized when a chance meeting connected her with Mr. Joe Persaud, a philanthropist who has been giving back to his home country in many ways for over a decade. Joe was quick to assist with sending books and connecting Aruna with his friends from the Little Library in Canada to further discuss ways to bring the Little Library to fruition.
Aruna started off by seeking permission from the local NDC and the Regional Chairman for the use of the room and upon receiving approval sought to commence renovations on the room. With the help of her friends, family and strangers who shared her vision for giving back to her community, she received donations to renovate the ceiling, rewire the room, redo the plumbing, replace the bathrooms, replace the doors both external and internal, and replace the windows and locks among much more. While much were provided by donations, Aruna stood the cost personally for materials and labour often times recruiting family and community workers to help.
At the final stages, the little library provided the needed assistance to build the shelves and complete the painting and fund the purchase of the carpeting for the room. It was not an easy task to clear the books and move them from the storage location and then finally to the library. But with help from fellow members from the community, the books were successfully transported to the library where sorting and packing commenced.
On March 17, 2024, the Belle Vue Little Library was officially opened. The Library stands as a testament to the power of community and the boundless possibilities that emerge when we join hands in pursuit of a common goal. It is in these efforts that our children can embark on the journey of learning, discovery, and endless possibilities.