The newly built library Enlightenment was inaugurated in January this year. Since that day, efforts have been underway to supply the library with books. Individuals and institutions are doing their level best in filling library`s shelf with their contribution.
There are hundred thousands of books in the library. Out of which there are paperless books, research materials and other relevant books. What is more, the library is also equipped with children’s books.
These books are donated by the Prime Minister Office, Ethiopia Reads and other institutions and individuals. Most of the books that are found in the library are written in Amharic and English languages. There is a plan in the future to diversify the language medium.
Maya Angelo once said, “One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.”
Indeed, without having courage we cannot practice any other virtues life provides to human kind. Without it we cannot be kind, truthful, merciful, generous or honest. Adults who care about the healthy and positive development of their kids always integrate the aforementioned virtues to be part of their lifestyle. They should practice them while advising their children to be kind, honest and generous.
Lately, The Ethiopian Herald had moments of togetherness with Getu Bekele, who is currently working aggressively to bring responsible and ethical generation to Ethiopia through books. According to Getu, investing in children is investing in the overall activities of the nation.
Getu Bekele, is a carpenter by profession but, he would never sit idle whenever he found an opportunity to earn alternative income. Getu Bekele, is well known among his community for his reading habit and advising others to read books as well. Whenever Getu advises people to read, he also lends them books from his private collections.
Getu`s habit of encouraging others to read books is not confined at individual level. He also has an ambition of supporting the nation. That is why he has recently donated 92 books to Abrehot Grand Library from his private book collections.
Getu`s passion to mobilize the community to read books was started in the early period where he used to carry the “Donkey Library” in the rural part of the country. However, his passion did not get the expected result. Most people used to consider him foolish and insane. But, this did not prevent Getu from excreting his energy and capital to inspire the youth in areas of reading.
Asked how he developed the habit of reading, Getu said, “Reading is part of my life. I have been reading books for the last 27 years; I read books to change my life; I read books to upgrade myself and to support others. Reading is my life and those books on my shelf are my assets.”
Reading practice should be started at early childhood and it should continue through the rest of our lifetime. “Reading is important for every human kind. It is the one and the only way of improving ourselves. Books can hold and keep all kinds of information, stories, thoughts and feelings unlike anything else in this world. The importance of a book to help us learn and understand things cannot be underestimated.”
According to him, parents, schools and other pertinent stakeholders should work hard to improve the reading habit of the new generation. He underlined that Ethiopians should read so as to lead progressive way of life and to behave ethically. Books benefit both our physical and mental health.
“Advocating reading is my hobby. I have been active in such an area for the last 27 years and trying to play my role in building informed youth through sport and education. I have my own mini library in my home with 180 members and about twenty thousand books and publications are found in the library.”
The library provides book lending service to all interested readers with reasonable charge. But, despite this opportunity, the interest of the youth to read books is still under my expectation.”
Responding to why he donated 92 books to the Enlightenment Library, “I am just responding to the call of the Prime Minister. As a responsible citizen, I should contribute my part. That is what I did. I believe civility comes through reading and exchanging ideas.
Getu said, behind every civility there is a single book. Whenever we desire to build a strong and civilized nation we need to invest in books. Whenever we desire to have a sound political system and economy, we need books that would help the generation to see beyond the horizon.
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
The Ethiopian Herald 10 May 2022
