Books bound for Timor's children

A shipment of children’s books and learning aids will be sent to East Timor next month and Bunbury City Library officer Deb Walker is encouraging people to donate.

The donations will go to an Australian nun, Sister Helen Nolen, who lives in a village near Balibo and the books will be translated into local dialects before being shared between remote communities.

A Royal Australian Navy ship has offered to transport the donations to East Timor without charge when it leaves Perth in August.

Mrs Walker said the project had come about from her brother, chef Don Hancey, who was working with the East Timorese government to set up a hospitality college.

‘‘Sister Helen stopped Donald on his last trip and asked him to keep her and donations for books in mind,’’ Mrs Walker said.

‘‘If you have any old children’s books in your cupboards at home please consider donating them to this worthy cause.

‘‘We’re looking for hard-back children’s books with simple text and any books Sister Helen doesn’t use will go to a small library.

‘‘I am passionate about children and reading and believe that children should have access to at least one book.’’

Books and learning aides, such as number charts, can be left at the Bunbury City Library. Mrs Walker can be contacted on 9721 2559 if people need books to be picked up.