Books for Schools

I first met Pebble in 2005 in the TLF chat room where we had lots of laughs with other members. In 2006 we spoke on the phone and arranged to meet up, sadly this didn’t happen but I remained in contact with her. During the weeks before her death Pebble discussed her dearest wish with me to help children from poor families with their education, especially girls. I told her about a rural school near Dalaman that I had visited earlier in the year and we chatted about supplies for some of the children there. With her encouragement I took a few things for them in August. Pebble confided in me that she feared her ideas for a project would die with her. I promised her that I would do something in her memory and so I hope that my idea to raise money will do just that.

I am offering 4 of my Turkish Days to Gloucestershire primary schools for a donation only which will be paid straight into the Pebble Jackson Project fund. The donation must be a minimum of £150 and for that I will spend a day in a school.

In addition I am offering 2 days in primary schools within 100 miles of Gloucestershire for a minimum donation of £200 plus travelling expenses and an overnight stay.

If 6 schools take advantage of my offer it will raise at least £1000. These days are available until July 2010. However as there are only 6 days, I suggest schools should book as soon as possible.

The money will be spent on books for at least one rural Turkish primary school. These will be books to foster a love of reading and not to fit in with any studies or curriculum. They will be in addition to books needed in schools. I envisage that they will be for children to borrow to take home where I hope they will share them with siblings and other family members. Inside there will be a sticker about Pebble. With each box there will also be a poster to explain to pupils and teachers the purpose of these books.

If anyone has contacts with schools within about 100 miles of Gloucester please show them this offer. I promise they will have a fantastic day full of music, dancing, cooking and crafts.

Would you like to sponsor a book? If you send between £5 -£10 to the fund and alert me, I will put your name inside a book and let you know the details. The books will be purchased in July 2010 and possibly April 2010 and dispatched to a school by September. I have selected a very knowledgeable supplier who along with another TLF member will help me select books taking account of any legal, moral, cultural or religious sensitivities. We hope to buy good quality books which will cost between 10 and 25 lira each, we will be getting a discount. I expect a box of books for one school to cost about £300 – £500. Please help us.

Jane Keevill

For more information you can download a copy of Jane’s “A Turkish Experience” leaflet