Aggreko to power African literacy drive with Book Aid
International partnership
- Aggreko donation provides 22,560 books, worth in
excess of GBP175,000
- Disadvantaged groups in seven African countries and
Sri Lanka to benefit from the Aggreko donation
- Initiative aims to promote literacy and create
learning opportunities in developing countries
Dubai, 5 March 2007 - Aggreko plc, global
leader in providing temporary power generation and temperature
control services, are supporting an initiative to support the
distribution and availability of books in Africa. Partnering with
the respected charitable organisation, Book Aid
International, the Aggreko donation will provide over 22,500
books to enhance the education and learning of disadvantaged groups
in Africa. Dedicated to contributing in the countries in which they
operate, Aggreko is pleased to assist Book Aid’s objective to
promote literacy and creating learning opportunities in developing
countries.
Founded in 1954, Book Aid International has an extensive network
in the 17 sub-Saharan countries and Sri Lanka and the agency also
receives patronage from His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh.
Through a partnership with the established network of local
libraries and cultural associations, the charity reaches the more
disadvantaged groups such as children and teenagers, the rural
poor, adult literacy learners and people with HIV/AIDS to ensure
free and equitable access to information.
“Literacy and education are key components in bridging the
gap between developing and developed countries. Ensuring more books
are made available to less privileged groups in Africa and Sri
Lanka gives these societies a real opportunity for sustainable
development. We are delighted to partner with Book Aid
International and contributing to this initiative,” said
Rupert Soames, CEO Aggreko.
Through this donation, Aggreko will provide funding to assist
seven African countries, - Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Sierra
Leone, Tanzania and Uganda - and Sri Lanka. The books will range
from novels to environmental protection and vocational skills books
with 60% purchased in the country’s local language and the
remaining 40% in English.