To improve literacy in Papua New Guinea, the Rotary Club of Busselton Geographe Bay is calling for books to be donated.

The books need to be in good condition and suitable for children or adults.

They should not be technical books or magazines, but general reading materials suited to children and adults who are learning English.

Busselton Rotary Club president Ben Bridgham is enthusiastic about the project and has offered his work place – the Broadwater Resort in Holgate Road – as a drop-off point for donations.

“In recent years, Rotary clubs around WA have collected enough books to fill six shipping containers. These were donated to various countries in Africa,” he said.

“Now the focus is moving to our nearest northern neighbour – Papua New Guinea.

“The project is a partnership between the Rotary Club of Manjimup and the Seventh Day Adventist Church who coordinate distribution of donated books once they reach New Guinea.

“The project also involves donating the shipping container to the rural village receiving the books, so local people will have a secure storage facility for food and other essentials.”

The project runs over just three months, closing at the end of November.

The Busselton Geographe Bay Rotary Club has also donated $1000 to the Pakistan Disaster Relief Fund, organised by Rotary International.

Donations to the fund are tax deductible and the club welcomes donations from the public.

For details about how to donate contact Bernie Masters on 9727 2474 or bmasters@iinet.net.au

More details about the new aid project can be obtained from Alan Lush, Rotary Club of Manjimup on 9771 1733 or bernal8@bigpond.com