Makaibari to get a library as a parting gift

Denna Weiss and Mike Matergia had come to Makaibari Tea Estate with a purpose.

While Denna was here to teach the children of the estate, Mike came for a health project. Both of them had come down from Pennsylvania, USA.

Four months later, however, the duo have decided to build a library in the area as a parting gift to the people they had befriended.

“During our stay here we found that there is need for a good library. It will benefit students and general people alike,” Mike told The Telegraph today.

The duo are working round the clock to ensure the success of their brainchild.

“We mailed our friends and parents back home informing them about the library here. Our parents were really interested and our friends also decided to contribute. Till date we have already collected a good number of books and around US $ 3,000 for the library,” Denna said.

The Makaibari tea estate authorities have donated already a 29ft by 20ft plot and a two-storied building is under construction there. While the ground floor will have a crèche to be built by the estate authorities, the first floor will house the library.

Denna said the library would have all types of books necessary for students. The construction of the library is also being funded by them.

“The single-room library will contain around 850 books out of which 40, on various subjects like health, meditation and yoga, will be in local languages. There will be English books of all types for school and college students. Besides, a computer with internet connection and a DVD player will also be installed,” Denna said.

Mike said they would be here till September and hoped to finish the project by then.

Rajah Banerjee, the proprietor of the estate, has expressed happiness over the initiative.

“As soon as we heard of the project from them we immediately donated the land and some funds. The library will be an asset for the residents here,” he said.

Source: The Telegraph