June 10 (USA): Sarasi Jayaratne, an 18-year old High School girl in the US, has begun a program to donate books to rural schools in Sri Lanka. The program was first started after tsunami by delivering 2000 books to tsunami-affected schools. Since then she has delivered more than 10,000 books. This week she has shipped another 4000 books and five computers to schools in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

First, she started this project to help establish 25 small libraries. With the overwhelming support received from the local community, she has now set her goal to establish 100 small libraries. Her project, now formalized as the "Keep Reading Foundation", is designed not only to aid rural schools, but also to promote English as a common language. She is currently planning an English reading program among rural children in Anuradhapura. Her goal is to encourage parents to join this program too.

Sarasi would like to thank the many individuals and institutions in Sri Lanka and US who gave their confidence and support to her project. Her special thanks go to Ven. R Subhuti Thero, Maharagama and Mrs. Pushpa Somatilake, Anuradhapura. Without them, this project would never have been a success.

Sarasi says, "Reading is the key to open all educational doors" and she invites all Sri Lankans living abroad to support her program and Keep Reading Foundation. For more information please visit www.keepreading.org or contact at keepread@aol.com