VietNamNet Bridge - Twenty disadvantaged children were given computers and books Friday, November 16, at the launch of a Thanh Nien newspaper program called “Adora’s Bookcase for Vietnamese Children”.

Ten-year-old US literary prodigy Adora Svitak, who was visiting Viet Nam as part of a vacation and literary tour, contributed US$1,000 to the Bookcase herself before returning home yesterday.

More than VND400 million (over US$25,000) raised from the launch is to be given to poor children nationwide, now especially students in central flood-stricken areas.

Thanh Nien newspaper, the organizer, is calling on people to contribute money, books, CDs, DVDs and other education and entertainment materials to the program, which Thanh Nien says it will distribute to disadvantaged children nationwide.

The program is Svitak’s “wish for deprived children”. “I hope the bookcase will offer my friends here knowledge to help them have a better life,” she said, adding, “I want to thank Thanh Nien for helping my dream come true.”

Interestingly, Svitak spurns the labels “writer” and “poet”.  She prefers to be considered “a young educator”, one who arouses children’s inspiration from reading and learning literature.

Svitak’s parents gave her her literary bug, reading to her when she was young for hours on end, she says. She awoke earlier than most to the wondrous world of books, “with a head always full of new writing ideas”.

She suggests adults spend more time to play with their children, learn from their kids and vice versa, and not impose their own preferences on their kids in terms of career choices or intellectual works, especially books. “Don’t teach your children to hate reading”, she pleaded.

Svitak arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on November 13 and participated in various activities including a city tour, seminars with students of the Asia International School and Tam Binh Orphanage, signings for her book “Flying Fingers" at the Phuong Nam Bookstore, press conferences, and an online vote for Ha Long Bay as a new natural wonder and others.

(Source: SGGP)