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Academic produces books for children of East Timor

24 May 2006

Monash Science Centre Director Professor Patricia Vickers-Rich has produced a book that will teach school children in East Timor about animals, geography and language.

Professor Patricia Vickers-Rich (in van at left) distributing her book, Animals of the World, to school children in East Timor.

Professor Vickers-Rich returned from East Timor this month, where, with Kirsty Sword Gusmao, the wife of East Timor President Xanana Gusmao, she helped distribute more than 1000 bags containing books, pencils and sharpeners to schools.

By the end of the year, another 9000 packs will be delivered to more than 80 schools involved in the Friendship Schools Program run by the Alola Foundation, of which Mrs Sword Gusmao is chairperson.

Professor Vickers-Rich said the schools she visited had no electricity, and in one case, only two walls. "They don't have very much at all," she said. "Some schools have just a blackboard and some chalk."

The colouring book, Animals of the World, designed for primary and early secondary students, features pictures of animals from East Timor and around the world, drawn by Monash Science Centre presenter Mr Andrew Plant.

The accompanying text about the animals and their lifestyles was written by Professor Vickers-Rich and translated into Portuguese and Tetum -- the two official languages of East Timor. Dr Roberto Weinberg and Ms Draga Gelt, both from Monash's School of Geosciences, helped with translations and graphics.

An introduction was penned by Mr Gusmao and Mrs Sword Gusmao.

Professor Vickers-Rich said there were a number of lessons in the book. "It will hopefully make the students aware of their fauna and the need to preserve it," she said. "It will give them language skills, and there is a world map so they can see where other countries are in the world."

The project, financed largely by money raised at a charity concert featuring Jimmy Barnes and his daughters, follows a 2003 project in which Professor Vickers-Rich had similar books distributed to children in refugee camps in Afghanistan.

In both cases, everyone involved donated their time and supplies were provided at cost. Professor Vickers-Rich said she would like to see more people becoming involved in programs such as these.

"Each and every one of us should be doing something like this because we are so lucky to live in a stable society," she said.

Professor Vickers-Rich's daughter Ms Leaellyn Rich, volunteer Mr Dave Woolbank and the book's production manager, Mr Tony Chesher, helped distribute the books. Mr Chesher also organised the fundraising concert with production coordinator Ms Anne Chesher and funding coordinator Mr Mike Brooks.