Former residents of Wakenaam donate 200 books to start library at Arthurville Primary School

The students of Arthurville Primary School, Wakenaam have received a donation of nearly 200 new books to start their library, donated by former residents of the community.

The books — novels, nursery rhymes, beginning readers, and others — were donated by Dr. Elizabeth Williams, daughter of Artielene Williams (1942-2020) and granddaughter of Clauris-Mavis Andries (1922-2014), both formerly of Domburg, Wakenaam.

The handover was made on May 6, 2021. Dr. Elizabeth Williams, an academic, published author and librarian, resides in Essex, England. Elizabeth, along with friends in the UK, donated a vast array of books to the school.

Each book is labelled with unique illustration by a young teenage artist, in honour of the memory of Clauris and Artielene and their descendants. “This is just the first instalment of books and other gifts for the school. Both my late mother and grandmother were passionate about education and books. This is a small but significant way to honour their memory,” Dr. Williams said during the handover.

Meanwhile, the students at Arthurville Primary School were pleased to receive the books. Their principal, Gita Dudnath-Ramotar, said that she is thankful that her students have a chance to read during their spare time and use their imagination to travel the world.